Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Production
Day to day, the job is laying patterns on stacked fabric and cutting along those lines with electric or hand knives, or with computer-controlled cutting machines. Operators start the equipment, watch the cut, and change heat, tension, or speed so pieces match the specification. They inspect finished pieces, write down what was produced and how the machine was set, and check the machinery itself when something seems off. Mechanical problems go to a supervisor; order details and process snags get talked through with coworkers. It suits people who like pattern-accurate, hands-on work and keeping quality and machine settings on record.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$38'760
Median Wage Market Position
$38'760
What you might do
- Lay patterns on stacked fabric and cut along them
- Start the cutter and watch it run
- Check cut pieces against quality standards
- Change cutter heat, tension, or speed as required
- Record finished work and machine settings
- Inspect the cutter and report mechanical problems
Skills that matter
- Laying patterns on stacked fabric
- Cutting cloth along the pattern lines
- Adjusting cutter heat, tension, and speed
- Inspecting cut pieces against the specs
- Checking machines for needed repairs
- Talking with coworkers about orders
AI & the future of this role
Programmed cutters and nesting software may take over much of the repeat cutting once patterns are locked in. Setting machines for new fabrics, clearing faults, and verifying cut quality remain hands-on skills that still count.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details