Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC: 51-6062 O*NET: 51-6062.00
Median Salary
$37,940
per year
Job Growth
📉 -11.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
What does a Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,230
10th percentile
Early Career
$32,380
25th percentile
Median
$37,940
50th percentile
Experienced
$43,710
75th percentile
Top Earners
$49,080
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,230
25th
$32,380
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,940
Mean: $38,500
75th
$43,710
90th
$49,080
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $21,850 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $32,380 and $43,710
- •Salary spread is 29.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 8,960 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:9,300
Top Industries
Manufacturing82.8%
Textile Product Mills28.6%
Other Textile Product Mills16.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-11.7%
Annual Openings:1,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)9,300
Current
2034 (Projected)8,200
-11.7%
-1,100
Employment Change
-11.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 34 locations
Georgia
1,380 jobs$40,8304.89x
North Carolina
980 jobs$38,8503.43x
California
880 jobs$38,2800.84x
Texas
740 jobs$28,3000.91x
South Carolina
440 jobs$40,5603.32x
Mississippi
410 jobs$38,1606.16x
Florida
390 jobs$36,3500.69x
Tennessee
370 jobs$38,5001.94x
New York
290 jobs$45,9600.53x
New Jersey
260 jobs$39,2401.04x
Illinois
230 jobs$37,8500.66x
Wisconsin
220 jobs$37,5001.29x
Pennsylvania
210 jobs$36,8900.60x
Ohio
190 jobs$38,5400.61x
Massachusetts
190 jobs$33,5700.91x
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
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Quality Control Analysis
80%
#5
Troubleshooting
74%
#6
Equipment Maintenance
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Repairing
46%
#10
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.0
80%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.7
74%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
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:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Repairing
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers82%
5 shared skills
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators82%
5 shared skills
Roof Bolters, Mining82%
5 shared skills
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators82%
5 shared skills
Rail Car Repairers73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Maintenance
- →Active Listening
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Troubleshooting
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 Cutting Machine Setters, 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
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft 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
Autodesk AutoCAD
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
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
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric following patterns, using electric or manual knives, cutters, or computer numerically controlled cutting devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Repair or replace worn or defective parts or components, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Clean, oil, and lubricate machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oilcans, and grease guns.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Record information about work completed and machine settings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% 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 Cutting 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?
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.66
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.21
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.02
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.81
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.80
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.75
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.0
Integrity
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Independence
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Analytical Thinking
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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