Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Also called: Acid Dumper, Archery Equipment Hay Sorter, Assembly Machine Operator, Automatic Glove Turner and Former, Automatic Nail Polish Brush Machine Feeder, Automatic Nailing Machine Feeder
Median pay
$41,220
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$32,220 – $58,160
People employed
42,330
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Machine Feeders and Offbearers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (43 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What machine feeders and offbearers do
- 01Inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications.
- 02Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
- 03Push dual control buttons and move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.
- 04Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
- 05Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.
- 06Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from machine feeders and offbearers
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders93% · +22%
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders90% · +13%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89% · +13%
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88% · +11%
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88% · +18%
Change into machine feeders and offbearers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders90% · $46,460
- Helpers--Production Workers90% · $39,070
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders90% · $43,220
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders90% · $38,180
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders90% · $38,670