Sewing Machine Operator
Run industrial sewing machines to make clothing, upholstery and products.
- $36,670
- A few weeks on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Textile Cutting Machine Operator
Also called: Fabric Cutter · Cutting Room Operator · CNC Fabric Cutter · Spreader
What textile cutting 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 textile cutting machine operator do?
Textile cutting machine setters, operators and tenders set up, operate or tend machines that cut textiles. The median pay is $38,760 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -13.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$38,760$18.64/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-13.6%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs9,400Employment, 2025
What textile cutting machine operators do
Textile cutting operators prepare pieces for sewing. They spread fabric in layers, place markers, run automated or hand-guided cutters, bundle and label pieces, and check cuts for accuracy.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline.
Typical duties
- Spread fabric
- Place markers
- Run cutters
- Bundle pieces
- Label bundles
- Inspect cuts
- Maintain blades
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in cutting rooms in sewn-products factories.
Schedule: Full-time day shifts.
A day in the life
- Check the cut order.
- Spread fabric layers.
- Load the marker.
- Run the CNC cutter.
See a full day in the life of a textile cutting machine operator →
Textile Cutting Machine Operator salary
Half of textile cutting machine operators earned more than $38,760 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $28,650 for the lowest 10% to $49,420 for the top 10%.
Full textile cutting machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a textile cutting machine operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn cutting
- Learn CNC
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a textile cutting machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Fabric spreading
- CNC cutting
- Marker reading
- Bundling
- Measurement
People skills
- Precision
- Reliability
- Focus
- Teamwork
All textile cutting machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Precision work
- CNC skills
- Day shifts
Cons
- Steep decline
- Standing
- Blade hazards
- Repetitive
Certifications and licenses
- CNC cutter training: Manufacturer.
- Safety training: Employer.
- Sewing course: Helpful.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Spreader: Entry.
- Cutter: Cut.
- Lead Cutter: Lead.
- Cutting Room Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Textile Cutting Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as spread fabric without distortion and bundle cut pieces for sewing, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Textile Cutting Machine Operator vs. Sewing Machine Operator · Textile Cutting Machine Operator vs. Hand Sewer · Textile Cutting Machine Operator vs. Textile Knitting Machine Operator · Textile Cutting Machine Operator vs. Upholsterer
Textile Cutting Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects a steep decline.
Is CNC used?
Yes, many cutting rooms use CNC cutters.
How much does a textile cutting machine operator make?
The median annual wage for textile cutting machine operators was $38,760 ($18.64 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,650 and the highest 10% earned more than $49,420.
How long does it take to become a textile cutting 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 textile cutting 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 textile cutting machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-6062 (Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Textile cutting 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.