Textile Winding Machine Operator
Run machines that wind, twist and draw fiber into yarn.
- $38,670
- A few months on the job
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Textile Knitting Machine Operator
Also called: Knitter · Weaver · Loom Operator · Knitting Machine Tender
What textile knitting 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 knitting machine operator do?
Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators and tenders set up, operate or tend machines that knit, loop, weave or draw in textiles. The median pay is $39,530 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -13.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$39,530$19.01/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-13.7%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year1,300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs13,900Employment, 2025
What textile knitting machine operators do
Knitting and weaving operators make fabric. They tend circular knitters and looms, tie in broken yarns, fix defects, change yarn packages and keep machines running in mills.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline.
Typical duties
- Tend knitting machines and looms
- Tie broken yarns
- Change yarn packages
- Inspect fabric
- Fix defects
- Doff rolls
- Clean machines
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in noisy textile mills.
Schedule: Full time, often rotating shifts.
A day in the life
- Walk the machines.
- Tie in a broken end.
- Change cones.
- Inspect fabric.
See a full day in the life of a textile knitting machine operator →
Textile Knitting Machine Operator salary
Half of textile knitting machine operators earned more than $39,530 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $29,960 for the lowest 10% to $49,130 for the top 10%.
Full textile knitting machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a textile knitting machine operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired at a mill
- Learn machines
- Learn setups
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a textile knitting machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Machine tending
- Yarn tying
- Defect spotting
- Doffing
- Machine cleaning
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Focus
- Teamwork
All textile knitting machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Short training
- Steady routines
- Technical machines
Cons
- Steep decline
- Noise
- Lint
- Shift work
Certifications and licenses
- Mill training: Employer.
- Safety training: Employer.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Operator: Entry.
- Senior Operator: More machines.
- Fixer: Repair.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Textile Knitting Machine Operator training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as tie in a broken yarn end and spot knitting defects, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Textile Dyeing Machine Operator
Run machines that bleach and dye yarn and fabric to exact colors.
- $38,180
- A few weeks on the job
Textile Cutting Machine Operator
Spread and cut fabric into pattern pieces for sewing.
- $38,760
- A few months on the job
Sewing Machine Operator
Run industrial sewing machines to make clothing, upholstery and products.
- $36,670
- A few weeks on the job
Compare: Textile Knitting Machine Operator vs. Textile Winding Machine Operator · Textile Knitting Machine Operator vs. Textile Dyeing Machine Operator · Textile Knitting Machine Operator vs. Textile Cutting Machine Operator · Textile Knitting Machine Operator vs. Sewing Machine Operator
Textile Knitting Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects a steep decline.
What is a fixer?
A mechanic who repairs textile machines.
How much does a textile knitting machine operator make?
The median annual wage for textile knitting machine operators was $39,530 ($19.01 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,960 and the highest 10% earned more than $49,130.
How long does it take to become a textile knitting 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 knitting 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 knitting machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-6063 (Textile knitting and weaving 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 knitting and weaving 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.