Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.
Median pay: $46,460/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — slower than average.
About 1,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Align and position materials being joined to ensure accurate application of adhesive or heat sealing.
• Adjust machine components according to specifications such as widths, lengths, and thickness of materials and amounts of glue, cement, or adhesive required.
• Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions and report or resolve problems.
• Start machines, and turn valves or move controls to feed, admit, apply, or transfer materials and adhesives, and to adjust temperature, pressure, and time settings.
• Fill machines with glue, cement, or adhesives.
• Perform test production runs and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that completed products meet standards and specifications.
• Examine and measure completed materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as tape measures, gauges, or calipers.
• Read work orders and communicate with coworkers to determine machine and equipment settings and adjustments and supply and product specifications.
What's the median pay for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders?
The median pay for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders is $46,460 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders?
Employment for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders is projected to change +1% from 2024 to 2034 - slower than average.
What education is typically required for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders?
About 1,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.