Production
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
Median pay
$39,530
Growth to 2035
−14%
declining
Openings a year
1,300
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to textile knitting and weaving 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
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders: 30% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Observe woven cloth to detect weaving defects.
- Thread yarn, thread, and fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines for weaving, knitting, or other processing.
- Remove defects in cloth by cutting and pulling out filling.
- Examine looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks, or mechanical defects.
- Inspect products to ensure that specifications are met and to determine if machines need adjustment.
- Notify supervisors or repair staff of mechanical malfunctions.
- Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
- Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.
Also called: Knitter · Knitting Machine Operator · Loom Fixer · Machine Operator · Operator · Tufting Machine Operator · Tufting Operator · Warp Knit Operator
Outlook and AI
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders held 13,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 12,000 by 2035 (−14%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
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