Textile Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary: $38,960 Median (2025)
The median annual wage for textile machine setters, operators, and tenders is $38,960, according to the latest BLS data. That works out to roughly $19 per hour. The middle 80% earn between $30,780 and $49,190, with the highest-paid operators making close to $50,000.
How much Textile Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn
The average (mean) wage for textile machine operators is $40,200 per year. The typical 10th-percentile earner makes $30,780, while the 90th-percentile earner brings in $49,190. These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey.
Pay can vary by experience, employer, and location. Entry-level positions often start near the 10th percentile, while experienced operators or those in supervisory roles may reach the top of the range. Overtime can boost annual earnings beyond base pay.
Pay by state
BLS does not provide state-level data for this specific occupation in the latest release. However, wages generally follow regional cost-of-living patterns. States with large textile manufacturing bases, such as Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, tend to have higher employment levels. Operators should check local job listings for prevailing rates.
How to become Textile Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender
Most textile machine operators learn on the job. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Formal education beyond that is uncommon, but some technical schools offer certificate programs in industrial textile operations that can speed up advancement.
- Earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Apply for entry-level positions at textile mills or manufacturing plants.
- Complete on-the-job training, which may last several months.
- Consider a certificate program at a technical college for quicker skill development.
- Advance to setter or lead operator with experience and demonstrated skill.
Job outlook
BLS does not provide a specific growth projection for this occupation from 2024 to 2034. The broader category of textile, garment, and related machine operators is projected to decline, as automation and overseas competition continue to reduce domestic employment. However, replacement needs will create some job openings each year as workers retire or leave the field.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hourly wage for textile machine operators?
Based on the BLS mean annual wage of $40,200, the average hourly wage is about $19.33.
What states pay textile machine operators the most?
BLS does not publish state-level wage data for this specific occupation in its latest estimates. Wages vary by local industry concentration.
Do you need a degree to become a textile machine operator?
No degree is required. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent, and training is provided on the job.
What is the job outlook for textile machine operators?
BLS does not give a specific growth figure for this occupation, but the broader category is expected to decline due to automation and imports. Replacement openings will still exist.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Textile Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders data.