Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
Also called: Batchmaker · Blender · Blending Technician (Blending Tech) · Ink Blender · Issuing Operator · Machine Operator
Median pay (national)
$47,680
$35,000–$67,570 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
100,840
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-6.8%
~8,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $67,570 versus $35,000 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $47,680 leaves roughly 42% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -6.8% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 8,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, New Jersey pays the most for this role (median $58,850, +23% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $26,380 — a 123% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.
- Read work orders to determine production specifications or information.
- Observe production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
- Mix or blend ingredients by starting machines and mixing for specified times.
- Stop mixing or blending machines when specified product qualities are obtained and open valves and start pumps to transfer mixtures.
- Compound or process ingredients or dyes, according to formulas.
- Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards.
- Operate or tend machines to mix or blend any of a wide variety of materials, such as spices, dough batter, tobacco, fruit juices, chemicals, livestock feed, food products, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
- Dump or pour specified amounts of materials into machinery or equipment.
- Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- Operational databases
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management