Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC code 51-6063 · O*NET-SOC 51-6063.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$39,530
a year
Hourly
$19.01
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$40,720
$19.58 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,390 – $45,220
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$29,960 – $49,130
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
13,030
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $29,960
- $14.40/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,390
- $17.50/hr
- Median percentile
- $39,530
- $19.01/hr
- 75th percentile
- $45,220
- $21.74/hr
- 90th percentile
- $49,130
- $23.62/hr
What do textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Program electronic equipment.
- Set up, or set up and operate textile machines that perform textile processing and manufacturing operations such as winding, twisting, knitting, weaving, bonding, or stretching.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 95% 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)95%
- Less than a High School Diploma5%
Common questions
How much does a textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The national median is $39,530 a year. The full range runs from $29,960 at the 10th percentile to $49,130 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 knitting and weaving machine setters, 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
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking2.9/5
- Critical Thinking2.9/5
- Reading Comprehension2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- English Language3.2/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- Public Safety and Security2.6/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving.