Food Batchmakers
SOC code 51-3092 · O*NET-SOC 51-3092.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Food Batchmakers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$42,290
a year
Hourly
$20.33
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$43,750
$21.04 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,350 – $49,670
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$31,990 – $58,940
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
174,520
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $31,990
- $15.38/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,350
- $17.47/hr
- Median percentile
- $42,290
- $20.33/hr
- 75th percentile
- $49,670
- $23.88/hr
- 90th percentile
- $58,940
- $28.34/hr
What does a food batchmaker do?
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Test food product samples for moisture content, acidity level, specific gravity, or butter-fat content, and continue processing until desired levels are reached.
- 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.
- Inspect vats after cleaning to ensure that fermentable residue has been removed.
- 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.
How to become a food batchmaker
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 38% 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.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)38%
- Some College Courses27%
- Post-Secondary Certificate22%
- Less than a High School Diploma14%
Common questions
How much does a food batchmaker earn?
The national median is $42,290 a year. The full range runs from $31,990 at the 10th percentile to $58,940 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a food batchmaker 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
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Writing2.9/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.3/5
- Food Production4.3/5
- Production and Processing4.2/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Mechanical3.1/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Coordination, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving.