### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Food Processing Equipment Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			Food and tobacco processing workers Food and tobacco processing workers use machines to mix ingredients.							
						Quick Facts:     Food Processing Equipment Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$38,130     per year
										$18.33     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    269,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    6% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    16,400What Food Processing Equipment Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most food processing equipment workers are employed in manufacturing facilities. Because of production schedules, shift work is common and may include early mornings, evenings, or nights. Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Food Processing Equipment Worker
                                                
                        
Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for food and tobacco processing workers was $38,130 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow							 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 39,900 openings for food processing equipment workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food processing equipment workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food processing equipment workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Food Processing Equipment Workers Do 
            

			Food and tobacco processing workersA food batchmaker stirs curd to make cheese.			
Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products.
Duties
Food processing equipment workers typically do the following:
Set up, start, or load food processing equipment
Check, weigh, and mix ingredients according to recipes
Set and control temperatures, flow rates, and pressures of machinery
Monitor and adjust ingredient mixes during production processes
Observe and regulate equipment gauges and controls
Record batch production data
Clean workspaces and equipment according to health and safety standards
Check final products to ensure qualityFood processing equipment workers often have different duties depending on the type of machinery they use or the goods they process. Job titles may be specific to the type of food workers produce.
***Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders*** run equipment that uses dry heat to make food or tobacco products. For example, *coffee roasters* follow recipes and tend machines to produce standard or specialty coffees;*dryers of fruits and vegetables* operate machines that produce raisins, prunes, and other dehydrated foods.
***Food batchmakers*** operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients to produce shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen foods. For example, *cheese makers* load raw ingredients into machinery, monitoring the temperature and consistency throughout the production process; *candy********makers* may operate machinery to shape, stretch, or mold lollipops, gumdrops, and other sweets.
***Food cooking machine operators and tenders*** oversee equipment that makes steamed, fried, boiled, or related food products. For example, *dumpling machine operators* set up and monitor commercial steamers and *potato chip manufacturing workers* may operate frying equipment.
Other food processing equipment workers operate machines that mix spices, mill grains, or extract oil from seeds.
 Work Environment
			Food and tobacco processing workersFood processing workers often work on a production line and stand most of the time.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Food and tobacco processing workers held about 269,200 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up food and tobacco processing workers was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Food batchmakers
                171,500Food processing workers, all other
                48,800Food cooking machine operators and tenders
                27,300Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders
                21,500The largest employers of food and tobacco processing workers were as follows:
        Food manufacturing
                76%Employment services
                6Food manufacturing facilities are typically large, open-floor areas with loud machinery. When operating cooking equipment, workers are frequently exposed to high temperatures. When working with goods that need to be refrigerated or frozen, they may be exposed to cold temperatures for long periods.
Depending on the type of food being processed, workers may be required to wear ear protection to guard against hearing loss in noisy facilities. They also may wear masks, hairnets, or gloves to prevent product contamination.
Workers usually stand during their shifts while tending machines or observing the production process. Loading, unloading, or cleaning equipment may require lifting, bending, and reaching.
Injuries and Illnesses
Food processing workers, all other, have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. ("All other" titles represent occupations with a wide range of characteristics that do not fit into any of the other detailed occupations.) Working around hot liquids or machinery that cuts or presses can be dangerous. Common injuries include cuts or result from slips and falls.. To reduce the risks of injuries, workers are required to wear protective clothing and nonslip shoes.
Work Schedules
Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time; part-time work may be common for food cooking machine operators and tenders. Because of production schedules, shift work is common and may include early mornings, evenings, or nights.
Some food processing positions are seasonal.
 How to Become a Food Processing Equipment Worker

			food and tobacco processing workers imageExperienced workers show trainees how to properly use equipment.			
Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Food processing equipment workers usually learn their skills through on-the-job training.
Education
Employers may require or prefer that applicants to food processing equipment jobs have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Because these workers often adjust the quantity of ingredients that go into a mix, math and reading skills are helpful.
Training
Food processing equipment workers learn on the job. Training may last from a few weeks to a few months. During training, workers learn health and safety rules related to the type of food that they process, as well as how to operate specific equipment and detect malfunctions.
Experienced workers typically teach trainees how to properly use and care for equipment.
Important Qualities
***Detail oriented.*** Workers must be able to detect small changes in the quality or quantity of food products. They must also follow health and safety standards to avoid injury and prevent food contamination.
***Physical stamina.*** Workers stand for long periods as they tend machines and monitor the production process.
***Physical strength.*** Food processing equipment workers must be able to lift or move heavy boxes of ingredients, which may weigh up to 50 pounds.
***Math skills.***Workers may need math skills in order to accurately mix specific quantities of ingredients.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Food Processing Equipment WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Production occupations$43,630  Food and tobacco processing workers$38,130Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for food processing equipment workers was $38,130 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,370, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,440.

			
                    	Median annual wages for food processing equipment workers in May 2023 were as follows:
        Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders
		$39,850Food cooking machine operators and tenders
		38,550Food batchmakers
		38,460Food processing workers, all other
		36,890In May 2023, the median annual wages for food and tobacco processing workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Food manufacturing
                $39,090Employment services
                33,590Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time; part-time work may be common for food cooking machine operators and tenders. Because of production schedules, shift work is common and may include early mornings, evenings, or nights.
Some food processing positions are seasonal.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Food Processing Equipment WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Food and tobacco processing workers6%  Total, all occupations3%  Production occupations-3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow				 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 39,900 openings for food processing equipment workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment of food processing equipment workers varies by occupation (see table). Population growth and continuing consumer preference for convenience foods are expected to drive the demand for food, which will in turn require more food processing workers to produce it. Some food manufacturing companies use equipment that automatically weighs and mixes ingredients, which requires fewer workers to operate machines.
			

                        Employment projections data for     food processing equipment workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Food and tobacco processing workers**
			—
			269,200
			285,600
			6
			16,400
			—**Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders**
			51-3091
			21,500
			22,200
			3
			700
			Get data**Food batchmakers**
			51-3092
			171,500
			185,000
			8
			13,400
			Get data**Food cooking machine operators and tenders**
			51-3093
			27,300
			27,700
			2
			400
			Get data**Food processing workers, all other**
			51-3099
			48,800
			50,700
			4
			1,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders
					Food batchmakers
					Food cooking machine operators and tenders
					Food processing workers, all other **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of food processing equipment workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Agricultural and Food Science Technicians**
            Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists.
            Associate's degree
            $47,010**Bakers**
            Bakers mix ingredients according to recipes in order to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods.
            No formal educational credential
            $34,950**Butchers**
            Butchers cut, trim, and package meat for retail sale.
            No formal educational credential
            $37,650**Cooks**
            Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts.
            See How to Become One
            $34,320**Food Preparation Workers**
            Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking, such as slicing meat and brewing coffee.
            No formal educational credential
            $32,420**Metal and Plastic Machine Workers**
            Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.
            See How to Become One
            $44,880
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about food processing equipment workers, visit
Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International (BCTGM)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Food BatchmakersFood Cooking Machine Operators and TendersFood Processing Workers, All OtherFood and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Food Processing Equipment Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/food-and-tobacco-processing-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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