Career profile · SOC ESC-DF93B38B

winding machine operator

Winding machine operators tend machines that wrap strings, cords, yarns, ropes, threads onto reels, bobbins, or spools. They handle materials, prepare them for processing, and use winding machines for that purpose. They also perform routine maintenance of the machinery.

winding machine operator winding machine operators tend machines that wrap strings, cords, yarns, ropes, threads onto reels, bobbins, or spools. They handle materials, prepare them for processing, and use winding machines for that purpose. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include rope manipulation, types of strings, types of thread, rope lashing, organise wires.

AI exposure
5.0/10
automation risk

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 winding machine operator, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.

Urban India
₹18,618 a month
Rural India
₹16,257 a month
All India
₹17,301 a month

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

rope manipulation types of strings types of thread rope lashing organise wires wrap yarn around bobbins measure yarn count adjust filament tension maintain equipment tend winding machines

Frequently asked questions

What does winding machine operator do?

Winding machine operators tend machines that wrap strings, cords, yarns, ropes, threads onto reels, bobbins, or spools. They handle materials, prepare them for processing, and use winding machines for that purpose. They also perform routine maintenance of the machinery.

What skills does winding machine operator need?

The most in-demand skills for this role include rope manipulation, types of strings, types of thread, rope lashing, organise wires, wrap yarn around bobbins. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Will AI replace winding machine operator?

Our AI-durability model gives winding machine operator a score of 0.50 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.

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