Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders work in a niche production role with a defined national footprint. With national employment of 21,000 and projected growth of 0.6%, this occupation offers a relatively stable presence in the labor market. There are an estimated 2,000 annual openings, which can reflect both new positions and replacement of workers who move on to other roles. The work draws on a mix of mechanical, fine motor, and physical strength and stamina skills, combined with attention to detail and interpersonal abilities. Reading, writing, and basic computers and information technology skills also play a role, supported by critical and analytical thinking. Leadership and science skills can be valuable for workers aiming to hold more responsibility over time. For people interested in hands-on, production-focused work with no formal educational credential typically required, this occupation can provide a structured, skills-based career path across multiple states and metro areas.
The national median annual salary for food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders is $42,730, with meaningful variation across regions. Among the top states by opportunity score, Colorado shows the highest median salary at $59,590, followed by Washington at $50,590 and New York at $49,020. California and Massachusetts have median salaries of $45,600 and $45,400, respectively. At the metro level, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a median salary of $60,170, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA stands at $50,680. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $47,110, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is at $46,120, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is at $43,940. These figures show that earnings can differ substantially by location, giving workers the option to weigh potential pay levels against other personal and professional factors when considering where to work.
Nationally, food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders account for 21,000 jobs, with projected employment growth of 0.6%. This modest projected change suggests a generally steady outlook, rather than rapid expansion or contraction. The occupation is expected to have about 2,000 annual openings, which can come from a mix of new positions and the need to replace workers who retire, change careers, or leave the field. The same 0.6% growth rate appears in the top states and metro areas listed, indicating a consistent projection across those highlighted regions. For job seekers, this combination of an established employment base, small but positive projected growth, and recurring annual openings suggests that opportunities should continue to exist over time, particularly for individuals who build strong mechanical, detail-oriented, and interpersonal skills aligned with this production-focused work.
Career opportunities for this occupation are distributed across multiple states and metro areas, with some regions standing out by opportunity score, salary, and employment levels. Among states, California has the highest employment at 1,630 and a median salary of $45,600, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York also combines relatively high employment (1,370) with a median salary of $49,020 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Colorado, while listing 500 jobs, offers the highest state-level median salary at $59,590, with an opportunity score of 56.97. Washington and Massachusetts provide mid-range employment and salaries with opportunity scores above 56. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 1,190. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV shows the highest metro median salary at $60,170. These differences give workers a range of options depending on whether they prioritize pay, number of positions, or the combined opportunity measures.
The typical education requirement for food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders is no formal educational credential. This creates access for individuals who may not have completed traditional academic pathways but are ready to develop practical, job-focused abilities. Success in this role is closely tied to skills rather than formal schooling. Mechanical skill, fine motor ability, and physical strength and stamina support the hands-on aspects of operating and tending machinery. Being detail oriented helps maintain accuracy and consistency in daily tasks. Reading and writing skills, along with computers and information technology knowledge, support effective communication and basic digital tasks on the job. Interpersonal skills and leadership can be important for working with others and taking on added responsibility. Science knowledge and critical and analytical thinking contribute to understanding processes and solving problems. Together, these skills can provide a foundation for long-term employability and potential advancement within this occupation or related production roles.
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