# Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

> Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-knitting-and-weaving-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders
- SOC code: 51-6063.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $39,530 (10th percentile $29,960, 90th percentile $49,130)
- Projected growth: Decline, -13.7%
- Openings a year: 1,300
- 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) | 99 |
| Investigative (I) | 14 |
| Artistic (A) | 9 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 6 |
| Conventional (C) | 55 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Getting Information (importance 75/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 72/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 71/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 68/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 67/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 67/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 62/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 62/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Active Listening, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

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

## Also called

Automated Weaver, Automatic Full-Fashioned Hosiery Knitting Machine Operator, Automatic Pad-Making Machine Operator, Belt Weaver, Blanket Weaver, Braid Pattern Setter, Broadloom Weaver, Carpet Loom Fixer, Carpet Weaver, Circular Knit Operator

## Related careers

- [Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-winding-twisting-and-drawing-out-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $38,670 median pay
- [Sewing Machine Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sewing-machine-operators): $36,670 median pay
- [Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-cutting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $38,760 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
- [Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-bleaching-and-dyeing-machine-operators-and-tenders): $38,180 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

## 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.