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Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure

What they do

Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $41,220 Median per year · $19.82/hr Most earn $32,220–$58,160

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Fasten, package, or stack materials and products, using hand tools and fastening equipment.
  • Shovel or scoop materials into containers, machines, or equipment for processing, storage, or transport.
  • Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
  • Remove materials and products from machines and equipment, and place them in boxes, trucks or conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
  • Transfer materials and products to and from machinery and equipment, using industrial trucks or hand trucks.

Job outlook

United States
13% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 4,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Warehousing and storage14.4%
  • Animal slaughtering and processing12.2%
  • Converted paper product manufacturing8.0%
  • Temporary help services6.4%
  • Printing and related support activities5.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 3 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 1 to 3 monthsEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and learn the work on the job in about 1 to 3 months.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finishing high school gives you the basic education most employers ask for, and reading, math, and safety skills help with machine work.

  2. Machine Feeders and Offbearers

    1-3 months to learn the job

    You learn on the job by loading materials into machines or removing finished pieces while a supervisor or experienced worker shows you how to stay safe and keep the line running.

Where it can lead

  1. Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    3-6 months of experience first

    You move from feeding machines to running them, which means checking settings, watching quality, and handling simple machine adjustments.

  2. Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    6 months to 1 year of experience first

    You take on more responsibility for setting up and operating equipment that shapes materials, which usually takes more hands-on training and careful attention to detail.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, technology, or industrial arts classesHands-on classes teach you how tools and machines work and how to follow safety rules, which are useful for any machine job.
  • Take math classes, especially measurement and basic arithmeticMachine work often involves counting parts, reading measurements, and keeping records, so solid math skills help.
  • Get a part-time or summer job in a warehouse, store stockroom, or factoryAny job where you handle materials and follow a routine helps you learn the pace and expectations of production work.
  • Join a career or technical student club, such as SkillsUSA, if your school has oneThese clubs build teamwork, communication, and work-readiness skills that employers look for.
  • Learn basic workplace safety habitsKnowing how to spot hazards and use protective equipment shows employers you take the job seriously.

In college

  • Take courses in manufacturing, industrial technology, or basic machine operationEven a short course or a few classes give you a head start on how production equipment works and how it is kept safe.
  • Get a part-time job in a factory, warehouse, or production facilityWorking around machines and production schedules gives you real experience that employers value.
  • Earn a safety certification, such as OSHA 10-hour General Industry, if your school or local community offers itA safety card shows employers you understand workplace hazards, which matters for any machine-tending job.
  • Join a student club or team that involves hands-on building or engineering, if your campus has oneTeamwork and practical problem-solving are skills that help you learn quickly on a production floor.
  • Consider a certificate or associate degree in a technical field if you want to move beyond feeding machinesTechnical training can help you qualify for machine setter or operator roles that have more responsibility.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask about on-the-job training and safety training when you apply. Many machine jobs teach you on the floor, so a willingness to learn matters a lot.
  • Show that you are reliable: arrive on time, follow safety rules, and finish tasks. Supervisors often promote the people they trust to keep the line moving.
  • Look for part-time or summer jobs in warehouses, factories, or food production to get comfortable with a work floor and with following instructions.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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