Fiber Extruding Machine Operator Career Guide

What does a fiber extruding machine operator do?

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers, set up, operate or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester or glass. The median pay is $46,350 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -3.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$46,350
$22.29/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-3.3%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
1,100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
13,500
Employment, 2025

What fiber extruding machine operators do

Fiber extruding operators make the fibers in carpets, insulation, tires and clothing. They run lines that melt polymers or glass, push them through spinnerets, draw and wind filaments, and monitor temperature, speed and quality.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects slight decline.

Typical duties

Run fiber lines
Monitor temperatures
Change spinnerets
String up filaments
Doff packages
Check fiber quality
Record data

Work environment and schedule

Operators work in fiber and fiberglass plants.

Schedule: Full time, rotating 12-hour shifts.

A day in the life

6:00 AMShift handoff.
6:30 AMCheck melt temperature.
8:00 AMString up a position.
10:00 AMDoff packages.

See a full day in the life of a fiber extruding machine operator →

Fiber Extruding Machine Operator salary

Half of fiber extruding machine operators earned more than $46,350 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,890 for the lowest 10% to $63,910 for the top 10%.

$35,89010th$46,350Median$63,91090th

Full fiber extruding machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a fiber extruding machine operator

Finish high school
Get hired at a fiber plant
Learn the line
Learn troubleshooting
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a fiber extruding machine operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Extrusion lines
Temperature control
String-up
Doffing
Quality testing

People skills

Attention to detail
Reliability
Teamwork
Calm

All fiber extruding machine operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Technical process work
No degree needed
Steady demand
Plant pay

Cons

Heat
Rotating shifts
Noise
Repetitive tasks

Certifications and licenses

Process training: Employer.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Forklift certification: Helpful.
Quality training: Employer.

Career path

Operator: Entry.
Senior Operator: Troubleshoot.
Lead Operator: Lead.
Supervisor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Fiber Extruding Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as string up a fiber line position and change a spinneret pack, safety and how to land your first job.

View Fiber Extruding Machine Operator training Is this career right for me?

Extruding Machine Operator

Run machines that push metal or plastic through dies to make tubes, pipes and profiles.

$47,720
A few months on the job

Textile Winding Machine Operator

Run machines that wind, twist and draw fiber into yarn.

$38,670
A few months on the job

Chemical Plant Operator

Control the reactors and systems that produce chemicals and materials.

$78,120
6–18 months on the job

Forming Machine Operator

Run machines that press and form materials like clay, powder and pellets into shapes.

$45,760
A few months on the job

Compare: Fiber Extruding Machine Operator vs. Extruding Machine Operator · Fiber Extruding Machine Operator vs. Textile Winding Machine Operator · Fiber Extruding Machine Operator vs. Chemical Plant Operator · Fiber Extruding Machine Operator vs. Forming Machine Operator

Fiber Extruding Machine Operator FAQ

Do I need a degree?

No.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects slight decline.

What products use these fibers?

Carpets, insulation, tires and clothing.

How much does a fiber extruding machine operator make?

The median annual wage for fiber extruding machine operators was $46,350 ($22.29 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,890 and the highest 10% earned more than $63,910.

How long does it take to become a fiber extruding machine operator?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a fiber extruding machine operator?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More fiber extruding machine operator questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-6091 (Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Fiber Extruding Machine Operator