Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles. The role reports a median annual salary of $38,260 in the US and is projected to decline by 11% 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, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £27,915 a year for Textile process operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8112). 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 “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Textile knitting and weaving 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 8. 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
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
How much does Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders in the US is $38,260.
What is the job outlook for Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The role is projected to decline by 11% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 15,300 workers.
How do I become textile knitting and weaving 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 knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Textile knitting and weaving 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 knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.