Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Mean (average) | $40,380 | $19.41 |
| 90th percentile | $48,100 | $23.12 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 14 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,190 | $29,990 | $42,910 | 100 | 1.4 |
| California | $36,670 | $36,610 | $45,280 | 880 | 1.41 |
| Florida | $29,850 | $27,610 | $35,060 | 100 | 0.29 |
| Georgia | $41,960 | $30,540 | $48,240 | 490 | 2.93 |
| Michigan | $44,720 | $35,030 | $49,420 | 60 | 0.4 |
| Mississippi | $43,640 | $25,930 | $63,900 | 80 | 1.93 |
| New Jersey | $36,570 | $32,820 | $49,120 | 140 | 0.97 |
| New York | $39,030 | $34,260 | $108,140 | 120 | 0.35 |
| North Carolina | $37,610 | $30,190 | $46,460 | 980 | 5.79 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,420 | $30,460 | $58,120 | 250 | 1.2 |
| Rhode Island | $45,930 | $38,460 | $59,420 | 210 | 12.34 |
| South Carolina | $39,410 | $35,660 | $47,500 | 770 | 9.8 |
| Tennessee | $37,410 | $27,640 | $40,760 | 270 | 2.42 |
| Wisconsin | $30,930 | $25,770 | $48,520 | 90 | 0.87 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 600. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 5%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- NO MATCH CIP 99.9999
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Weigh ingredients, such as dye, to be mixed together for use in textile processing.
- Start and control machines and equipment to wash, bleach, dye, or otherwise process and finish fabric, yarn, thread, or other textile goods.
- Observe display screens, control panels, equipment, and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly.
- Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
- Monitor factors such as temperatures and dye flow rates to ensure that they are within specified ranges.
- Add dyes, water, detergents, or chemicals to tanks to dilute or strengthen solutions, according to established formulas and solution test results.
- Examine and feel products to identify defects and variations from coloring and other processing standards.
- Adjust equipment controls to maintain specified heat, tension, and speed.
Technology skills
- Linux (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- SAP software (hot technology)
- Hewlett-Packard HP OpenVMS
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Time Management, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination.
Common job titles: Beck Operator, Dye House Worker, Dye Line Operator, Dye Machine Operator, Dye Operator, Dye Tub Operator, Dyer, Jet Dyeing Machine Operator, Machine Operator (Machine Op), Tub Operator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders make?
The national median annual wage for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders was $38,180 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $30,300 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $48,100. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders a growing career?
BLS projects employment of textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders to change -12.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 600 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Rhode Island ($45,930), Michigan ($44,720), Mississippi ($43,640). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.