Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
SOC Code: 51-6061
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders carries a 28% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $37,320 and -10.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 6,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 28% AI exposure, Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders sits 9 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 23% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders has ai exposure of 28%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-6061) carries an AI exposure score of 28%, 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 6,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -10.1% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $37,320, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, 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 Textile bleaching and dyeing 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. Weigh ingredients, such as dye, to be mixed together for use in textile processing.
- 2. Start and control machines and equipment to wash, bleach, dye, or otherwise process and finish fabric, yarn, thread, or other textile goods.
- 3. Observe display screens, control panels, equipment, and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly.
- 4. Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
- 5. Monitor factors such as temperatures and dye flow rates to ensure that they are within specified ranges.
- 6. Sew ends of cloth together, by hand or using machines, to form endless lengths of cloth to facilitate processing.
- 7. Add dyes, water, detergents, or chemicals to tanks to dilute or strengthen solutions, according to established formulas and solution test results.
- 8. Ravel seams that connect cloth ends when processing is completed.
- 9. Remove dyed articles from tanks and machines for drying and further processing.
- 10. Examine and feel products to identify defects and variations from coloring and other processing standards.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Quality Control Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders?
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders has an AI exposure score of 28%, 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 Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders is projected to decline by 10.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 6,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders?
Key skills for Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders earn?
The median annual wage for Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders is $37,320, 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 Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders?
The typical entry-level education for Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders?
Textile bleaching and dyeing 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
Career Guides
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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).