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.
High school diploma or equivalent
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.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders work in a specialized production role with a clear national profile. With national employment of 22,000 workers and a typical education requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent, this career can be accessible to people entering the workforce or changing fields. The role values fine motor skills, physical strength and stamina, mechanical abilities, and strong attention to detail, supported by mathematics and science knowledge. Critical and analytical thinking, computers and information technology, and communication skills such as speaking and listening also contribute to success. Leadership skills can be useful for those who want to coordinate work or move into positions with more responsibility. Although projected employment growth is -9.0%, there are still 2,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and hiring needs. This combination of entry education, defined skill set, and steady openings creates a clear pathway for those interested in machine-based textile work.
The national median annual salary for textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders is $37,660. Earnings vary by location, giving workers some ability to improve income through geographic choice. Among states, Washington shows a median salary of $47,560 and California offers $43,770, both above the national median for this occupation. Massachusetts and Colorado have median salaries of $40,270 and $37,540 respectively, while New York is close to the national figure at $37,220. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area stands out with a median salary of $47,230. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim reports $43,330, and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell shows $43,870. Some metros, such as Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington at $34,270 and Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia at $36,800, are below the national median. These differences highlight how location choice can influence earning potential within the same occupation.
This occupation currently employs 22,000 workers nationally, with projected employment growth of -9.0%. While this projection indicates a decline in total employment, the labor market still shows 2,000 annual openings. The combination of a shrinking employment base and ongoing openings suggests that much of the demand may come from turnover as existing workers leave, retire, or change careers. The consistent -9.0% growth figure across the listed states and metro areas indicates that the projected contraction is broadly distributed rather than limited to a single region. For job seekers, this means opportunities continue to exist, but long-term employment levels are expected to be lower than today. Individuals considering this path may want to pay attention to regional opportunity scores and local employment levels when evaluating where to focus their search, as these metrics reflect how this declining employment outlook interacts with salaries and job counts in different locations.
Location makes a meaningful difference for textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders. At the state level, California has the highest opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $43,770 and employment of 360. Massachusetts and New York follow closely in opportunity score, at 65.87 and 65.78 respectively, with somewhat lower employment levels of 170 and 160. Washington shows the highest state-level median salary among the listed states at $47,560, an opportunity score of 56.29, and employment of 250, while Colorado has an opportunity score of 56.97 and employment of 90. All listed states share a -9.0% growth rate. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City stands out with the highest opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $47,230, and employment of 100. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has an opportunity score of 62.99 and employment of 230. Atlanta and Charlotte offer larger employment bases (1,110 and 1,270) but lower opportunity scores than New York, highlighting trade-offs between job counts and overall opportunity measures.
The typical education requirement for textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who may not be pursuing a college degree but still want to enter a technical, machine-focused role. While formal education requirements are modest, the skill profile is broad and important. Key abilities include fine motor skills, physical strength and stamina, and mechanical aptitude, all of which support hands-on work with machinery. Being detail oriented, along with having mathematics and science knowledge, helps with accuracy and understanding of technical aspects. Critical and analytical thinking and familiarity with computers and information technology support problem solving and working with modern equipment or systems. Leadership, speaking, and listening skills are also valuable, particularly for coordinating with coworkers or stepping into roles with more responsibility. Together, this combination of education and skills provides a clear roadmap for preparing to enter and advance within this occupation.
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