Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders
SOC Code: 51-3091
Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders carries a 34% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $42,730 and +0.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 20,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-3091) carries an AI exposure score of 34%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 20,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +0.6% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $42,730, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Observe, feel, taste, or otherwise examine products during and after processing to ensure conformance to standards.
- 2. Take product samples during or after processing for laboratory analyses.
- 3. Set temperature and time controls, light ovens, burners, driers, or roasters, and start equipment, such as conveyors, cylinders, blowers, driers, or pumps.
- 4. Observe temperature, humidity, pressure gauges, and product samples and adjust controls, such as thermostats and valves, to maintain prescribed operating conditions for specific stages.
- 5. Observe flow of materials and listen for machine malfunctions, such as jamming or spillage, and notify supervisors if corrective actions fail.
- 6. Test products for moisture content, using moisture meters.
- 7. Record production data, such as weight and amount of product processed, type of product, and time and temperature of processing.
- 8. Weigh or measure products, using scale hoppers or scale conveyors.
- 9. Clear or dislodge blockages in bins, screens, or other equipment, using poles, brushes, or mallets.
- 10. Operate or tend equipment that roasts, bakes, dries, or cures food items such as cocoa and coffee beans, grains, nuts, and bakery products.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Food Production
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
- Engineering and Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders?
Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders has an AI exposure score of 34%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders is projected to grow by 0.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 20,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders?
Key skills for Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders earn?
The median annual wage for Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders is $42,730, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders?
The typical entry-level education for Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders?
Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).