Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC code 51-6061 · O*NET-SOC 51-6061.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders pay

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

Median pay

$38,180

a year

Hourly

$18.36

per hour

10th$30,300Median$38,18090th$48,100

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

Average pay

$40,380

$19.41 per hour

Middle 50%

$35,680 – $45,280

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$30,300 – $48,100

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

5,310

nationwide

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

10th percentile: $30,300; $14.57/hr
25th percentile: $35,680; $17.16/hr
Median percentile: $38,180; $18.36/hr
75th percentile: $45,280; $21.77/hr
90th percentile: $48,100; $23.12/hr

What do textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders do?

Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Weigh ingredients, such as dye, to be mixed together for use in textile processing.
Start and control machines and equipment to wash, bleach, dye, or otherwise process and finish fabric, yarn, thread, or other textile goods.
Observe display screens, control panels, equipment, and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly.
Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
Monitor factors such as temperatures and dye flow rates to ensure that they are within specified ranges.
Sew ends of cloth together, by hand or using machines, to form endless lengths of cloth to facilitate processing.
Add dyes, water, detergents, or chemicals to tanks to dilute or strengthen solutions, according to established formulas and solution test results.
Ravel seams that connect cloth ends when processing is completed.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 56% 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)56%
Less than a High School Diploma35%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6%
Some College Courses2%

Common questions

How much does a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earn?

The national median is $38,180 a year. The full range runs from $30,300 at the 10th percentile to $48,100 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 textile bleaching and dyeing 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 Listening3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5
Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Speaking2.9/5
Critical Thinking2.9/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing3.4/5
Public Safety and Security2.6/5
Education and Training2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Time Management, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making.