Food Batchmaker
Measure and mix ingredients into large batches for food production.
- $42,290
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Mixing Machine Operator
Also called: Blender Operator · Compounder · Batch Mixer · Mixing Technician
What mixing 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 mixing machine operator do?
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators and tenders set up, operate or tend machines to mix or blend materials such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments or explosive ingredients. The median pay is $48,990 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -6.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$48,990$23.55/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-6.1%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year7,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs97,300Employment, 2025
What mixing machine operators do
Mixing machine operators combine ingredients into products. They weigh materials, load mixers and blenders, run timed cycles, test batches for consistency and color, and clean equipment in chemical, plastics, rubber, paint and food plants.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects decline.
Typical duties
- Weigh materials
- Load mixers
- Run mixing cycles
- Test batches
- Adjust formulas
- Record batches
- Clean equipment
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in chemical, paint, plastics and rubber plants.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Review batch tickets.
- Weigh pigments.
- Load the mixer.
- Run the cycle.
See a full day in the life of a mixing machine operator →
Mixing Machine Operator salary
Half of mixing machine operators earned more than $48,990 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,790 for the lowest 10% to $70,200 for the top 10%.
Full mixing machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a mixing machine operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn batching
- Learn testing
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a mixing machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Mixer operation
- Weighing
- Batch testing
- Chemical handling
- Recordkeeping
People skills
- Accuracy
- Safety focus
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
All mixing machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Chemistry-adjacent work
- Steady routines
- Training provided
Cons
- Chemical exposure
- Dust
- Declining employment
- Lifting
Certifications and licenses
- Hazmat training: Required.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
- Process training: Employer.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Mixing Operator: Operate.
- Lead Compounder: Lead.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Mixing Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as follow a batch ticket exactly and test a batch for viscosity, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Mixing Machine Operator vs. Food Batchmaker · Mixing Machine Operator vs. Chemical Equipment Operator · Mixing Machine Operator vs. Chemical Plant Operator · Mixing Machine Operator vs. Crushing Machine Operator
Mixing Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is it safe?
With PPE and procedures, yes.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline.
How much does a mixing machine operator make?
The median annual wage for mixing machine operators was $48,990 ($23.55 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,790 and the highest 10% earned more than $70,200.
How long does it take to become a mixing 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 mixing 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 mixing machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9023 (Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Mixing and blending machine setters, 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.