Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
SOC: 51-6061 O*NET: 51-6061.00
Median Salary
$37,320
per year
Job Growth
📉 -10.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
What does a Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,990
10th percentile
Early Career
$32,350
25th percentile
Median
$37,320
50th percentile
Experienced
$43,230
75th percentile
Top Earners
$47,660
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,990
25th
$32,350
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,320
Mean: $39,000
75th
$43,230
90th
$47,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $18,670 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $32,350 and $43,230
- •Salary spread is 29.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 5,820 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:6,200
Top Industries
Manufacturing97.8%
Textile Mills81.1%
Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills64.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-10.1%
Annual Openings:700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)6,200
Current
2034 (Projected)5,500
-10.1%
-600
Employment Change
-10.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 19 locations
North Carolina
1,120 jobs$33,9806.07x
California
1,010 jobs$37,3301.49x
Georgia
670 jobs$39,9303.68x
South Carolina
620 jobs$40,8207.20x
Tennessee
250 jobs$36,2602.02x
New York
180 jobs$00.49x
Rhode Island
180 jobs$45,9109.56x
New Jersey
160 jobs$39,0001.01x
Massachusetts
150 jobs$49,3501.12x
Pennsylvania
120 jobs$41,6200.51x
Alabama
100 jobs$31,8301.31x
Mississippi
80 jobs$42,3001.78x
Kansas
60 jobs$48,4001.13x
Michigan
60 jobs$41,8800.35x
New Hampshire
50 jobs$37,7701.96x
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
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
86%
#3
Monitoring
70%
#4
Time Management
56%
#5
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Time Management
basic2.8
56%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
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:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic83%
5 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers80%
4 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers80%
4 shared skills
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders80%
4 shared skills
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators71%
5 shared skills
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic67%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
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 Textile Bleaching and Dyeing 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
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechLinux
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 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
Linux
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
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡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 high 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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Planning & Development (2)Training & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Add dyes, water, detergents, or chemicals to tanks to dilute or strengthen solutions, according to established formulas and solution test results.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Adjust equipment controls to maintain specified heat, tension, and speed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Observe display screens, control panels, equipment, and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Prepare dyeing machines for production runs, and conduct test runs of machines to ensure their proper operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Monitor factors such as temperatures and dye flow rates to ensure that they are within specified ranges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Start and control machines and equipment to wash, bleach, dye, or otherwise process and finish fabric, yarn, thread, or other textile goods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Examine and feel products to identify defects and variations from coloring and other processing standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Record production information such as fabric yardage processed, temperature readings, fabric tensions, and machine speeds.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Test solutions used to process textile goods to detect variations from standards.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% 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 Textile Bleaching and Dyeing 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?
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing 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 Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.28
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.27
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.59
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.53
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Independence
3.6
Integrity
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
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