Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC: 51-9023 O*NET: 51-9023.00
Median Salary
$48,990
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6.8%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
What does a Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,790
10th percentile
Early Career
$42,850
25th percentile
Median
$48,990
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,860
75th percentile
Top Earners
$70,200
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,790
25th
$42,850
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,990
Mean: $52,090
75th
$59,860
90th
$70,200
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $33,410 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $42,850 and $59,860
- •Salary spread is 34.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 94,920 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:101,100
Top Industries
Manufacturing82.2%
Chemical Manufacturing27.2%
Food Manufacturing22.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6.8%
Annual Openings:8,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)101,100
Current
2034 (Projected)94,300
-6.8%
-6,800
Employment Change
-6.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
Illinois
10,240 jobs$53,5602.75x
Texas
6,350 jobs$45,3200.74x
California
5,730 jobs$50,6400.52x
Ohio
5,230 jobs$47,7201.54x
Indiana
4,840 jobs$47,6502.48x
Pennsylvania
4,380 jobs$50,5501.18x
New York
4,340 jobs$53,1700.73x
Florida
3,550 jobs$46,0000.59x
Georgia
3,420 jobs$47,0001.15x
North Carolina
3,400 jobs$47,0201.13x
Wisconsin
3,380 jobs$52,2001.88x
Michigan
3,040 jobs$44,3101.13x
Missouri
2,800 jobs$50,3401.56x
South Carolina
2,560 jobs$47,7401.82x
Iowa
2,310 jobs$51,5702.43x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
94%
#3
Repairing
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Quality Control Analysis
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Troubleshooting
60%
#8
Equipment Maintenance
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Repairing
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.0
60%
Equipment Maintenance
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
Repairing
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners73%
5 shared skills
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners73%
5 shared skills
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators67%
5 shared skills
Robotics Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Equipment Maintenance
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Repairing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Repairing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Quality Control Analysis
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 Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
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
MOSTLY 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 mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Test samples of materials or products to ensure compliance with specifications, using test equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Operate or tend machines to mix or blend any of a wide variety of materials, such as spices, dough batter, tobacco, fruit juices, chemicals, livestock feed, food products, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Dump or pour specified amounts of materials into machinery or equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Observe production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Stop mixing or blending machines when specified product qualities are obtained and open valves and start pumps to transfer mixtures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Add or mix chemicals or ingredients for processing, using hand tools or other devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Record operational or production data on specified forms.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% 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 Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, 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?
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, 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 Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.07
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.00
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.86
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.65
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.57
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.51
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.1
Dependability
4.0
Integrity
3.9
Initiative
3.6
Achievement/Effort
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.5
Persistence
3.5
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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