Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles. The role reports a median annual salary of $37,940 in the US and is projected to decline by 12% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.58 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Equipment Maintenance.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £26,573 a year for Textiles, garments and related trades n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 5419). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Design
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
What you'd actually do
- Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.
- Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric following patterns, using electric or manual knives, cutters, or computer numerically controlled cutting devices.
- Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
- Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.
- Record information about work completed and machine settings.
- Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
How much does Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the US is $37,940.
What is the job outlook for Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The role is projected to decline by 12% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 9,300 workers.
How do I become textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Equipment Maintenance, Repairing. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders a score of 0.58 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.