Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
Also called: Knitter · Knitting Machine Operator · Loom Fixer · Machine Operator · Operator · Tufting Machine Operator
Median pay (national)
$38,260
$29,640–$48,070 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
14,530
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-11.2%
~1,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $48,070 versus $29,640 at the bottom 10% — 1.6x. The median of $38,260 leaves roughly 26% 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 -11.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 23 states with released data, Wisconsin pays the most for this role (median $65,820, +72% vs the national median), while Rhode Island sits lowest at $31,420 — a 109% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Observe woven cloth to detect weaving defects.
- Examine looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks, or mechanical defects.
- Notify supervisors or repair staff of mechanical malfunctions.
- Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.
- Operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples.
- 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.
- Inspect products to ensure that specifications are met and to determine if machines need adjustment.
- Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
- Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management