The median pay for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders is $44,810 a year ($21.54/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 0.4% through 2035, with about 2,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 51-3091
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender in four numbers
- Median pay
- $44,810a year, or $21.54/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $33KTop 10% $63K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +0.4%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+0.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +0.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,50021,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202521.6K
- Projected 203521.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 21.6K Projected 2035 21.7K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school22.8%
- High school60.8%
- Certificate5.7%
- Some college10.8%
Highest education held by food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders Segment Value Less than high school 22.8% High school 60.8% Certificate 5.7% Some college 10.8%
Also advertised as: Bean Roaster, Coffee Roaster, Line Operator, Machine Operator, Oven Operator, Oven Technician.
Pay
How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make?
Every food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operator and tender in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$44,810
Middle half earn $37,540 to $50,680
- 10th
- $33,250
- 25th
- $37,540
- 75th
- $50,680
- 90th
- $62,680
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $33,250 |
| 25th | $37,540 |
| Median | $44,810 |
| 75th | $50,680 |
| 90th | $62,680 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $44,810
- Median hourly wage
- $21.54/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $45,930
- People employed
- 20,370
Versus all US occupations
At $44,810, Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders earn 12% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,170 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 7% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $62,680 or more while the bottom 10% earn $33,250, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 11% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
North Dakota pays the most at $77,300, and still leads at $86,894 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1North Dakota | $77,300 | $86,894 | 30 |
| 2Maryland | $60,170 | $57,327 | 200 |
| 3Colorado | $59,590 | $57,825 | 500 |
| 4Virginia | $59,260 | $58,613 | 270 |
| 5Alaska | $55,280 | $54,006 | 30 |
| 6Nevada | $54,950 | $54,962 | 130 |
| 7Washington | $50,590 | $47,275 | 720 |
| 8Minnesota | $50,340 | $51,044 | 1,120 |
| 9Maine | $50,220 | $51,747 | 100 |
| 10Pennsylvania | $49,660 | $50,896 | 540 |
Job outlook
Is Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +0.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | +0.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders to change 0.4% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,500 openings are projected each year, 11.6% of the 21,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of food processing equipment workers varies by occupation (see table).
Population growth and continuing consumer preference for convenience foods are expected to drive the demand for food, which will in turn require more food processing workers to produce it.
Getting in
How to become a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender
Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Food processing equipment workers usually learn their skills through on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)60.8%
- Less than a High School Diploma22.8%
- Some College Courses10.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 60.8% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 22.8% |
| Some College Courses | 10.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 5.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender do?
Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.
Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products.
Day-to-day tasks
- Record production data, such as weight and amount of product processed, type of product, and time and temperature of processing.
- Observe, feel, taste, or otherwise examine products during and after processing to ensure conformance to standards.
- Observe flow of materials and listen for machine malfunctions, such as jamming or spillage, and notify supervisors if corrective actions fail.
- Observe temperature, humidity, pressure gauges, and product samples and adjust controls, such as thermostats and valves, to maintain prescribed operating conditions for specific stages.
- Weigh or measure products, using scale hoppers or scale conveyors.
- Signal coworkers to synchronize flow of materials.
- Read work orders to determine quantities and types of products to be baked, dried, or roasted.
- Operate or tend equipment that roasts, bakes, dries, or cures food items such as cocoa and coffee beans, grains, nuts, and bakery products.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time; part-time work may be common for food cooking machine operators and tenders. Because of production schedules, shift work is common and may include early mornings, evenings, or nights.
Some food processing positions are seasonal.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.5
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Writing2.9
- Active Learning2.5
- Learning Strategies2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.6
- Operation and Control3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Electronic mail software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.9
- Conventional4.2
- Enterprising1.8
- Investigative1.6
- Social1.3
- Artistic1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender$44,810
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender | $44,810 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender appears on
Questions
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender: frequently asked questions
How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make?
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median of $44,810 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 12% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $21.54/hr. The middle half earn between $37,540 and $50,680. The top 10% earn $62,680 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 60.8% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.4% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender do?
Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products. A core O*NET task: record production data, such as weight and amount of product processed, type of product, and time and temperature of processing. Employers most often ask for Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders the most?
The highest state medians for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders are North Dakota ($77,300), Maryland ($60,170), Colorado ($59,590) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operator and Tender?
O*NET scores Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.