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
$38,180
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
$30,300
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,680
25th percentile
Median
$38,180
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,280
75th percentile
Top Earners
$48,100
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,300
25th
$35,680
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,180
Mean: $40,380
75th
$45,280
90th
$48,100
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $17,800 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,680 and $45,280
- •Salary spread is 25.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 5,310 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
Manufacturing96.2%
Textile Mills80.2%
Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills57.6%
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 14 of 14 locations
North Carolina
980 jobs$37,6105.79x
California
880 jobs$36,6701.41x
South Carolina
770 jobs$39,4109.80x
Georgia
490 jobs$41,9602.93x
Tennessee
270 jobs$37,4102.42x
Pennsylvania
250 jobs$38,4201.20x
Rhode Island
210 jobs$45,93012.34x
New Jersey
140 jobs$36,5700.97x
New York
120 jobs$39,0300.35x
Alabama
100 jobs$33,1901.40x
Florida
100 jobs$29,8500.29x
Wisconsin
90 jobs$30,9300.87x
Mississippi
80 jobs$43,6401.93x
Michigan
60 jobs$44,7200.40x
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
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Production and Processing
100%
#3
Arm-Hand Steadiness
100%
#4
Control Precision
92%
#5
Operation and Control
86%
#6
Near Vision
82%
#7
Visual Color Discrimination
74%
#8
Monitoring
70%
#9
Manual Dexterity
66%
#10
Finger Dexterity
58%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advanced5.0
100%
Control Precision
advanced4.6
92%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Near Vision
intermediate4.1
82%
Visual Color Discrimination
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
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
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Near Vision
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Visual Color Discrimination
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Manual Dexterity
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Finger Dexterity
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Deductive Reasoning
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
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
Must Have:
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Manual Dexterity
- →Finger Dexterity
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ✓Control Precision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Arm-Hand Steadiness
- ★Control Precision
- ★Near Vision
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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
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North Canton, OH
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Gonzales, LA
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Charlotte, NC
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Baytown, TX
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