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Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Textile Dyeing Machine Operator
Also called: Dye House Operator · Bleaching Operator · Dye Machine Tender · Color Operator
What textile dyeing 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 dyeing machine operator do?
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye or finish textiles or yarn. The median pay is $38,180 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -12.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$38,180$18.36/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-12.5%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs5,700Employment, 2025
What textile dyeing machine operators do
Textile dyeing operators color fabric. They load yarn or fabric into dye machines, weigh dyes and chemicals, run cycles, check color against standards and adjust batches.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline as textile production shrinks.
Typical duties
- Load dye machines
- Weigh dyes and chemicals
- Run dye cycles
- Check color
- Adjust batches
- Unload and dry
- Record batches
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in hot, humid dye houses.
Schedule: Full time, often rotating shifts.
A day in the life
- Review dye tickets.
- Weigh dyes.
- Load fabric.
- Start the cycle.
See a full day in the life of a textile dyeing machine operator →
Textile Dyeing Machine Operator salary
Half of textile dyeing machine operators earned more than $38,180 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $30,300 for the lowest 10% to $48,100 for the top 10%.
Full textile dyeing machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a textile dyeing machine operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired at a mill
- Learn dyeing
- Learn color matching
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a textile dyeing machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Dye machine operation
- Dye weighing
- Color matching
- Chemical handling
- Recordkeeping
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Color eye
- Reliability
- Safety focus
All textile dyeing machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Color work
- No degree needed
- Short training
- Steady routines
Cons
- Steep decline
- Chemicals
- Heat and humidity
- Shift work
Certifications and licenses
- Chemical safety training: Required.
- AATCC training: Textile chemists.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Dye Operator: Dye.
- Lead Operator: Lead.
- Colorist or Supervisor: Advance.
Learn the job before day one
Our Textile Dyeing Machine Operator training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as check a dye lot against the standard and weigh dyes for a batch, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Textile Dyeing Machine Operator vs. Textile Knitting Machine Operator · Textile Dyeing Machine Operator vs. Textile Winding Machine Operator · Textile Dyeing Machine Operator vs. Chemical Technician · Textile Dyeing Machine Operator vs. Garment Presser
Textile Dyeing Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects a steep decline.
Is color vision important?
Yes.
How much does a textile dyeing machine operator make?
The median annual wage for textile dyeing machine operators was $38,180 ($18.36 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,300 and the highest 10% earned more than $48,100.
How long does it take to become a textile dyeing machine operator?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a textile dyeing machine operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More textile dyeing machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-6061 (Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Textile bleaching and dyeing 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.