# Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders

> Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-bleaching-and-dyeing-machine-operators-and-tenders
- SOC code: 51-6061.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $38,180 (10th percentile $30,300, 90th percentile $48,100)
- Projected growth: Decline, -12.5%
- Openings a year: 600
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 96 |
| Investigative (I) | 18 |
| Artistic (A) | 5 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 3 |
| Conventional (C) | 53 |

## What you'd do

- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 78/100)
- Getting Information (importance 77/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 75/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 73/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 72/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 66/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 65/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 64/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 61/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 61/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Monitoring, Time Management, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Speaking

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, Mathematics, English Language, Mechanical, Computers and Electronics, Chemistry

## Also called

Ager, Ager Operator, Ager Tender, Aging Box Hand, Ammonia Box Operator, Ammonia Box Tender, Ash Kier Boiler, Autoclave Operator, Automation Operator, Automation Tender

## Related careers

- [Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cleaning-washing-and-metal-pickling-equipment-operators-and-tenders): $43,530 median pay
- [Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/adhesive-bonding-machine-operators-and-tenders): $46,460 median pay
- [Machine Feeders and Offbearers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machine-feeders-and-offbearers): $41,220 median pay
- [Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/furnace-kiln-oven-drier-and-kettle-operators-and-tenders): $48,040 median pay
- [Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-and-forming-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-synthetic-and-glass-fibers): $46,350 median pay
- [Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/laundry-and-dry-cleaning-workers): $34,890 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.