# Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

> Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-cutting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders
- SOC code: 51-6062.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $38,760 (10th percentile $28,650, 90th percentile $49,420)
- Projected growth: Decline, -13.6%
- Openings a year: 900
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCE)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 89 |
| Investigative (I) | 9 |
| Artistic (A) | 9 |
| Social (S) | 4 |
| Enterprising (E) | 9 |
| Conventional (C) | 58 |

## What you'd do

- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 78/100)
- Getting Information (importance 74/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 74/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 73/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 71/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 67/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 65/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 64/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 63/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Coordination, Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Speaking, Troubleshooting

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, Mathematics, Mechanical, English Language, Design, Education and Training, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Public Safety and Security, Engineering and Technology

## Also called

Automated Cutting Machine Operator, Automatic Die Cutting Machine Operator, Automatic Folding Machine Operator, Automatic Label Cutting Machine Operator, Band Cutter, Barrel Drum Cutter, Bedspread Cutter, Bias Cutting Machine Operator, Binding Cutter, Blanket Cutting 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
- [Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paper-goods-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $50,270 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
- [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
- [Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-punching-and-press-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $46,330 median pay
- [Cutters and Trimmers, Hand](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutters-and-trimmers-hand): $38,020 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.