All careers › Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Dyeing machine operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $30,300lowest 10% earn less
- $35,68025th percentile
- $38,180median
- $45,28075th percentile
- $48,100top 10% earn more
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders had median pay of $38,180 a year, well below the median for all occupations[1][2]. BLS projects a 12.5% decline in jobs over the next decade[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -12.5%[3]
- Openings per year
- 600[5]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[6]
How much do dyeing machine operators make?
The median pay for this job was $38,180 a year, or $18.36 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $40,380 a year, or $19.41 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980, so this job's median sat well below it[1][2].
Here is how pay was spread out:
| Point in the range | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][8] | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[4][8] | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| Median[1] | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Highest-paid 25% earned more than[4][8] | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Highest-paid 10% earned more than[4][8] | $48,100 | $23.12 |
A percentile wage is a boundary between groups of workers, and BLS does not publish a starting salary for this job[9]. The figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].
Pay by state and city
BLS published state medians for 14 states[11]. Rhode Island was listed first at $45,930 a year, followed by Michigan at $44,720 and Mississippi at $43,640[11]. Florida was listed last at $29,850[11].
The states with the most jobs were North Carolina (980), California (880), South Carolina (770), Georgia (490) and Tennessee (270)[12]. Their medians were $37,610 in North Carolina and $36,670 in California[11].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[13], Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC was listed first at $46,210, followed by Providence-Warwick, RI-MA at $45,930 and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA at $45,100[13]. The metro areas with the most jobs were Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (760), Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC (250) and Providence-Warwick, RI-MA (250)[14].
Show median pay in 14 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island[11] | $45,930 | 210 |
| Michigan | $44,720 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $43,640 | 80 |
| Georgia | $41,960 | 490 |
| South Carolina | $39,410 | 770 |
| New York | $39,030 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,420 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $37,610 | 980 |
| Tennessee | $37,410 | 270 |
| California | $36,670 | 880 |
| New Jersey | $36,570 | 140 |
| Alabama | $33,190 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $30,930 | 90 |
| Florida | $29,850 | 100 |
How to become a dyeing machine operator
BLS describes the usual path in three parts[6]:
- First: finish high school or earn an equivalent diploma[6].
- Next: no work experience in a related job is typically needed[6].
- Then: learn the job through short-term on-the-job training[6].
The facts we have do not say how many weeks or months that training takes. O*NET puts the job in a group where some jobs need little or no previous experience and others need several months to a year[15].
In an O*NET survey of 16 workers, 56% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, 35% said less than a high school diploma, and 6% said an associate degree or other 2-year degree[16]. That is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture. The facts do not list a license or exam for this job.
What dyeing machine operators do
These workers run or tend machines that bleach, shrink, wash, dye or finish textiles and synthetic or glass fibers[17]. Job titles that workers report include dye machine operator, dyer and jet dyeing machine operator[18]. Typical tasks include:
- Weighing dye and other ingredients to be mixed for textile processing[19].
- Starting and controlling machines that wash, bleach, dye or finish fabric, yarn and thread[19].
- Watching screens, control panels and cloth going in and out to check that equipment works correctly[19].
- Monitoring temperatures and dye flow rates to keep them in the set ranges[19].
- Adding dyes, water, detergents or chemicals to tanks, following set formulas and test results[19].
- Examining and feeling products to spot defects in color or other standards[19].
- Adjusting controls to hold the right heat, tension and speed[19].
- Telling supervisors or mechanics about equipment problems[19].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment in this job to decline 12.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 5,700 jobs to 5,000, a change of 700 jobs[3]. For all occupations, BLS projects growth of 3.5% over the same years[20]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, and 5% of workers in this job were self-employed in 2025[3][21]. The OEWS wage survey counted about 5,310 wage and salary jobs in May 2025, and it does not count the self-employed[22].
Openings still come up. BLS projects about 600 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 6.3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.6% move to a different occupation[23].
Is it a good fit?
The entry path is short. It asks for a high school diploma or equivalent, no related experience and short-term on-the-job training[6]. Median pay is well below the all-occupations median, and it varies by state[1][2][11]. Jobs are projected to decline faster than the all-occupations average grows, though openings from retirements and job changes are still expected each year[3][20][5]. North Carolina, California and South Carolina had the most jobs[12].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a dyeing machine operator make an hour?
- The median was $18.36 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $19.41 an hour[1][7].
- What education do you need to be a dyeing machine operator?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training[6].
- Is dyeing machine operator work in demand?
- BLS projects employment to decline 12.5% from 2025 to 2035[3], compared with 3.5% growth for all occupations[20]. About 600 openings a year are still projected[5].
- What is the highest paying state for dyeing machine operators?
- Rhode Island was listed first, with a median of $45,930 a year, followed by Michigan at $44,720[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders in the US was $38,180 per year and $18.36 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders is projected to decline 12.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 5,700 to 5,000 jobs (a change of -700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders: 10th percentile $30,300, 25th percentile $35,680, 75th percentile $45,280, 90th percentile $48,100. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 600 openings for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders was $40,380 per year and $19.41 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders: 10th percentile $14.57, 25th percentile $17.16, 75th percentile $21.77, 90th percentile $23.12. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders jobs: North Carolina 980; California 880; South Carolina 770; Georgia 490; Tennessee 270. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders (areas with at least 100 jobs): Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $46,210; Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $45,930; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $45,100; Dalton, GA $44,940; Greensboro-High Point, NC $39,600; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $39,030; Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $38,990; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $37,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 760 (median $36,670); Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC 250 (median $46,210); Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 250 (median $45,930); Greensboro-High Point, NC 230 (median $39,600); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 200 (median $37,960); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 170 (median $39,030). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 51-6061.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 51-6061.00 survey of workers (16 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 56%, Less than a High School Diploma 35%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 51-6061.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Beck Operator, Dye House Worker, Dye Line Operator, Dye Machine Operator, Dye Operator, Dye Tub Operator, Dyer, Jet Dyeing Machine Operator. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: 5% of Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 5,310 people were employed as Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders: 6.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.