Production Helper
Help machine operators and keep production lines supplied and clean.
- $39,070
- A few days to weeks on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Machine Feeder
Also called: Offbearer · Machine Loader · Line Feeder · Material Handler
What machine feeders 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 machine feeder do?
Machine feeders and offbearers feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers. The median pay is $41,220 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow -13.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$41,220$19.82/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-13.1%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year4,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few days on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs41,800Employment, 2025
What machine feeders do
Machine feeders keep machines loaded. They feed raw materials into machines, remove and stack finished products, watch for jams and defects and keep the area clean.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects a steep decline as automation grows.
Typical duties
- Feed machines
- Remove finished products
- Stack and pack
- Watch for jams
- Spot defects
- Clean areas
- Report problems
Work environment and schedule
Feeders work on factory floors.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Start the line.
- Feed blanks.
- Stack finished parts.
- Report a jam.
See a full day in the life of a machine feeder →
Machine Feeder salary
Half of machine feeders earned more than $41,220 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,220 for the lowest 10% to $58,160 for the top 10%.
Full machine feeder pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a machine feeder
- Apply to a plant
- Complete safety training
- Learn the machine
- Cross-train
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a machine feeder →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Material handling
- Machine loading
- Stacking
- Defect spotting
- Packing
People skills
- Reliability
- Stamina
- Focus
- Teamwork
All machine feeder skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy entry
- Short training
- Steady tasks
- Path to operator
Cons
- Steep decline
- Repetitive
- Physical
- Low pay
Certifications and licenses
- Safety training: Employer.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- First aid: Helpful.
Career path
- Feeder: Entry.
- Operator: Run machines.
- Lead: Lead.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Machine Feeder training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as feed a machine at steady pace and stack products on a pallet, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Machine Feeder vs. Production Helper · Machine Feeder vs. Packaging Machine Operator · Machine Feeder vs. Production Assembler · Machine Feeder vs. Conveyor Operator
Machine Feeder FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects a steep decline.
Can I move up?
Yes, to machine operator.
How much does a machine feeder make?
The median annual wage for machine feeders was $41,220 ($19.82 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,220 and the highest 10% earned more than $58,160.
How long does it take to become a machine feeder?
Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a machine feeder?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More machine feeder questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-7063 (Machine feeders and offbearers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Machine feeders and offbearers (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.