How to become a textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders do
- Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
- Inspect products to verify that they meet specifications and to determine whether machine adjustment is needed.
- Operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples.
- Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.
- Start machines, monitor operation, and make adjustments as needed.
- Replace depleted supply packages with full packages.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Is textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 24% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Virginia $50,770
- Louisiana $49,690
- New Hampshire $49,190
- Washington $47,560
- New Jersey $47,230
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.