Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC code 51-9191 · O*NET-SOC 51-9191.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$46,460

a year

Hourly

$22.34

per hour

10th$31,460Median$46,46090th$60,810

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$46,850

$22.53 per hour

Middle 50%

$37,220 – $53,610

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$31,460 – $60,810

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

11,500

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $31,460; $15.12/hr
25th percentile: $37,220; $17.90/hr
Median percentile: $46,460; $22.34/hr
75th percentile: $53,610; $25.77/hr
90th percentile: $60,810; $29.24/hr

What do adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders do?

Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Align and position materials being joined to ensure accurate application of adhesive or heat sealing.
Adjust machine components according to specifications such as widths, lengths, and thickness of materials and amounts of glue, cement, or adhesive required.
Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions and report or resolve problems.
Start machines, and turn valves or move controls to feed, admit, apply, or transfer materials and adhesives, and to adjust temperature, pressure, and time settings.
Fill machines with glue, cement, or adhesives.
Perform test production runs and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that completed products meet standards and specifications.
Examine and measure completed materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as tape measures, gauges, or calipers.
Read work orders and communicate with coworkers to determine machine and equipment settings and adjustments and supply and product specifications.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 73% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)73%
Post-Secondary Certificate17%
Less than a High School Diploma10%
Some College Courses0%

Common questions

How much does an adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders earn?

The national median is $46,460 a year. The full range runs from $31,460 at the 10th percentile to $60,810 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.1/5
Speaking3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Reading Comprehension3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing4.0/5
Mechanical3.7/5
English Language3.4/5
Mathematics3.0/5
Customer and Personal Service3.0/5
Education and Training2.9/5
Public Safety and Security2.9/5
Computers and Electronics2.8/5

Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Coordination, Troubleshooting, Repairing.