Production
Food batchmaker
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.
Median pay
$42,290
Growth to 2035
+7%
faster than average
Openings a year
23,100
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Food batchmaker
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Food batchmaker: 39% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
- Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas.
- Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
- Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or an agitator, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients.
- Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color.
- Give directions to other workers who are assisting in the batchmaking process.
- Select and measure or weigh ingredients, using English or metric measures and balance scales.
- Press switches and turn knobs to start, adjust, and regulate equipment, such as beaters, extruders, discharge pipes, and salt pumps.
Also called: Batching Operator · Blender · Brewing Technician · Compounder · Dosier Operator · Dough Scaler · Mix Technician · Mixer
Outlook and AI
Food batchmakers held 176,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 188,200 by 2035 (+7%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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