# Machine Feeders and Offbearers

> Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machine-feeders-and-offbearers
- SOC code: 53-7063.00
- Career family: Transportation
- Median annual pay: $41,220 (10th percentile $32,220, 90th percentile $58,160)
- Projected growth: Decline, -13.1%
- Openings a year: 4,000
- Typical entry education: No formal credential
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 99 |
| Investigative (I) | 18 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 58 |

## What you'd do

- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 76/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 72/100)
- Getting Information (importance 62/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 61/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 59/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 58/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 57/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 56/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 50/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 49/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Troubleshooting, Operation and Control, Coordination, Critical Thinking

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, Mechanical, Mathematics, English Language, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Administrative, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Personnel and Human Resources

## Also called

Acid Dumper, Archery Equipment Hay Sorter, Assembly Machine Operator, Automatic Glove Turner and Former, Automatic Nail Polish Brush Machine Feeder, Automatic Nailing Machine Feeder, Automatic Spooler Operator, Automatic Stacker, Back Tender, Ball Machine Operator

## Related careers

- [Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-and-slicing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $46,570 median pay
- [Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/adhesive-bonding-machine-operators-and-tenders): $46,460 median pay
- [Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-forming-pressing-and-compacting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $45,760 median pay
- [Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/woodworking-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-except-sawing): $43,380 median pay
- [Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paper-goods-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $50,270 median pay
- [Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/grinding-lapping-polishing-and-buffing-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal): $46,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.