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.
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
SOC: 51-9191 O*NET: 51-9191.00
Median Salary
$45,210
per year
Job Growth
📉 1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,290
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,420
25th percentile
Median
$45,210
50th percentile
Experienced
$52,060
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,420
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,290
25th
$36,420
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,210
Mean: $45,670
75th
$52,060
90th
$60,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $29,130 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,420 and $52,060
- •Salary spread is 34.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 12,170 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:12,200
Top Industries
Manufacturing94.1%
Paper Manufacturing25%
Converted Paper Product Manufacturing24.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1%
Annual Openings:1,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)12,200
Current
2034 (Projected)12,300
+1%
+100
Employment Change
+1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
North Carolina
1,200 jobs$34,4603.11x
Oregon
1,010 jobs$48,6906.48x
California
940 jobs$36,7700.66x
Texas
850 jobs$49,2300.78x
Indiana
780 jobs$39,1403.10x
Ohio
730 jobs$47,7801.68x
Pennsylvania
600 jobs$51,5901.27x
Wisconsin
540 jobs$48,7102.33x
Washington
480 jobs$52,8901.70x
Mississippi
440 jobs$30,8204.80x
New York
420 jobs$41,0500.55x
Tennessee
380 jobs$44,3801.48x
Arkansas
310 jobs$47,3003.08x
Michigan
280 jobs$45,3100.81x
Virginia
250 jobs$47,9000.78x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Quality Control Analysis
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Troubleshooting
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Repairing
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Troubleshooting
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Repairing
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators82%
5 shared skills
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders67%
5 shared skills
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas67%
5 shared skills
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Troubleshooting
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Examine and measure completed materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as tape measures, gauges, or calipers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Adjust machine components according to specifications such as widths, lengths, and thickness of materials and amounts of glue, cement, or adhesive required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions and report or resolve problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Read work orders and communicate with coworkers to determine machine and equipment settings and adjustments and supply and product specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination91% perform94%
5
Fill machines with glue, cement, or adhesives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Mount or load material such as paper, plastic, wood, or rubber in feeding mechanisms of cementing or gluing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain production records such as quantities, dimensions, and thicknesses of materials processed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Perform test production runs and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that completed products meet standards and specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Remove jammed materials from machines and readjust components as necessary to resume normal operations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.47
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.18
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.95
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.91
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.85
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.82
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.0
Self-Control
3.9
Persistence
3.9
Integrity
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Independence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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