How much does a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender make?
The median textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender in the United States earns $38,180 per year, about $18.36 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-6061.
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender salary range
Pay for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $30,300 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $48,100. The average (mean) wage of $40,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,300 | $14.57 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,680 | $17.16 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,180 | $18.36 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $45,280 | $21.77 | |
| 90th percentile | $48,100 | $23.12 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-6061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earn the most in Rhode Island at $45,930 a year, and the least in Florida at $29,850. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $45,930 | 210 |
| Michigan | $44,720 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $43,640 | 80 |
| Georgia | $41,960 | 490 |
| South Carolina | $39,410 | 770 |
| New York | $39,030 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,420 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $37,610 | 980 |
| Tennessee | $37,410 | 270 |
| California | $36,670 | 880 |
| New Jersey | $36,570 | 140 |
| Alabama | $33,190 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $30,930 | 90 |
| Florida | $29,850 | 100 |
State median wages for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-6061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
The BLS projects employment of textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 12.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender
The typical entry-level education for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Rhode Island, $45,930) and the lowest (Florida, $29,850) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,310 people work as textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders in the United States. At $38,180 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender salary FAQ
How much does a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender is $18.36. The middle half of textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earn between $17.16 and $21.77 per hour.
What is the highest textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earn more than $48,100 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender is $38,180. The average (mean) wage of $40,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender a well paid job?
At $38,180 a year, a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,310 people work as textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median salary for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders at $45,930 a year. Michigan ($44,720) and Mississippi ($43,640) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender a good career?
Employment of textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders is projected to shrink 12.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a textile bleaching and dyeing machine operator and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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