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Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Food Roasting Machine Operator
Also called: Coffee Roaster Operator · Baking Machine Operator · Drying Machine Operator · Nut Roaster
What food roasting machine operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a food roasting machine operator do?
Food and tobacco roasting, baking and drying machine operators and tenders operate equipment to reduce moisture content or process foods. The median pay is $44,810 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +0.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$44,810$21.54/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.4%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year2,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs21,600Employment, 2025
What food roasting machine operators do
Food roasting machine operators control heat to make products right. They run roasters, ovens and dryers for coffee, nuts, cereal, snacks and grains, set temperatures and times, check color and moisture, and keep equipment clean.
No formal education is required, and training is moderate. BLS projects little change.
Typical duties
- Set up roasters and dryers
- Set temperatures and times
- Load product
- Check color and moisture
- Adjust settings
- Record batch data
- Clean equipment
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in food plants and roasteries.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Preheat the roaster.
- Load green coffee.
- Watch the roast curve.
- Check color.
See a full day in the life of a food roasting machine operator →
Food Roasting Machine Operator salary
Half of food roasting machine operators earned more than $44,810 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,250 for the lowest 10% to $62,680 for the top 10%.
Full food roasting machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a food roasting machine operator
- Apply to a food plant
- Learn safety and GMP
- Learn the roaster
- Master quality checks
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a food roasting machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Roaster operation
- Temperature control
- Quality checks
- Moisture testing
- Sanitation
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Focus
- Teamwork
All food roasting machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Food you can smell
- Steady work
- Skill grows with experience
Cons
- Heat
- Fire risk
- Repetitive
- Shift work
Certifications and licenses
- Food safety training: HACCP.
- SCA roasting certificate: For coffee.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- GMP training: Employer.
Career path
- Operator: Entry.
- Lead Operator: Lead.
- Quality Tech: Quality.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Food Roasting Machine Operator training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as follow a roast profile and check product moisture, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Food Roasting Machine Operator vs. Food Batchmaker · Food Roasting Machine Operator vs. Food Cooking Machine Operator · Food Roasting Machine Operator vs. Baker · Food Roasting Machine Operator vs. Packaging Machine Operator
Food Roasting Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is it safe?
With proper procedures, yes.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects little change.
How much does a food roasting machine operator make?
The median annual wage for food roasting machine operators was $44,810 ($21.54 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,250 and the highest 10% earned more than $62,680.
How long does it take to become a food roasting machine operator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a food roasting machine operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More food roasting machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-3091 (Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders (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.