Production
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Median pay
$38,760
Growth to 2035
−14%
declining
Openings a year
900
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
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
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders: 21% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.
- 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.
- Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
- Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.
- Record information about work completed and machine settings.
- Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.
- Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
- Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.
Also called: Automated Cutting Machine Operator · CNC Cutting Operator (Computer Numerical Control Cutting Operator) · Cutter · Cutter Operator · Die Cut Operator · Fabric Cutter · Laser Operator · Spread Cutter
Outlook and AI
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders held 9,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 8,200 by 2035 (−14%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
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