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
Short-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.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Machine feeders and offbearers work in roles that combine physical activity with attention to detail and basic mechanical awareness. Nationally, this occupation employs about 46,000 workers, with a median annual salary of $39,700. Employment is projected to decline by 13.0%, yet there are still about 5,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing replacement needs even as overall employment shrinks. The role suits people who bring physical strength and stamina together with fine motor skills and a detail-oriented work style. It also draws on skills in speaking and listening, interpersonal communication, and basic reading and writing. No formal educational credential is typically required, which can make this a more accessible option for people looking to enter the workforce quickly. For those considering geography, certain states and metro areas offer higher salaries and stronger CareerGPS opportunity scores, giving candidates options to compare locations based on pay and job concentration.
The national median annual salary for machine feeders and offbearers is $39,700. Pay varies by location, and several states offer higher median salaries. Colorado stands out with a median salary of $48,400, while Washington offers $45,600, Massachusetts $43,510, and New York $43,450. Among top metro areas, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA reports a median salary of $47,450, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH sits at $45,320. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ also offer median salaries above the national median. These figures suggest that workers willing to compare states and metros may find higher earning potential in select locations. Because formal education is not typically required, pay at these levels may appeal to individuals aiming to earn a steady income while entering the labor market without extended schooling.
Machine feeders and offbearers have national employment of about 46,000 workers. The occupation is projected to see a 13.0% decline in employment, indicating that the total number of positions is expected to shrink over time. Despite this projected decrease, there are still around 5,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing needs in the labor market, even as the overall job count falls. People considering this field should weigh the combination of a declining employment trend with the continuing flow of openings. The presence of consistent annual openings may be important for those planning shorter-term entry into the occupation. At the same time, the negative growth projection is a key factor to consider for longer-term career planning, especially for individuals thinking about remaining in this type of work for many years or building a long-range career path around it.
Career opportunities for machine feeders and offbearers vary across states and metro areas. Among states, California has a median salary of $40,380, employment of 4,830, and an opportunity score of 67.38, the highest among the listed states. Massachusetts and New York both combine higher median salaries—$43,510 and $43,450, respectively—with opportunity scores above 65, though employment levels are lower than in California. Colorado and Washington show higher median salaries of $48,400 and $45,600, with moderate employment and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ lead with opportunity scores above 77, paired with median salaries of $47,450 and $41,690. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also show higher salaries and solid opportunity scores. These differences allow job seekers to compare regions on both pay and overall opportunity.
Machine feeders and offbearers typically enter the occupation with no formal educational credential. This makes it accessible to individuals who want to begin earning without first completing a degree or other formal program. Even without formal education requirements, success in the role relies on a combination of physical and cognitive skills. Key abilities include fine motor skills and physical strength and stamina, reflecting the hands-on and physically active nature of the work. Mechanical skills, along with basic mathematics and science, support understanding of equipment and processes. Being detail oriented is important, as are speaking and listening skills for communicating on the job. Computers and information technology skills, interpersonal abilities, and solid writing and reading skills round out the profile. Together, these skills provide a practical foundation for performing the work effectively and for adapting to different workplaces that hire machine feeders and offbearers.
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