Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Production
The core of the work is threading yarn through guides, needles, and rollers, then starting looms or knitting machines and watching the cloth as it forms. Operators look for weaving faults, stop the machine when a run is complete, and cut or pull out bad filling when a defect shows up. A loom that stops gets examined for warp filling, harness breaks, or a mechanical fault before a supervisor or repair worker is called. Pieces are checked against specification so the next adjustment, if needed, is clear. The work suits people who like threading and tending equipment, spotting cloth flaws early, and deciding what caused a stop.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$39'530
Median Wage Market Position
$39'530
What you might do
- Thread yarn through the loom's guides and needles
- Start knitting or weaving machines and watch them
- Scan woven cloth for broken threads or defects
- Cut out flawed filling and pull it free
- Check a stopped loom to find the cause
- Shut the loom down after the run is complete
Skills that matter
- Threading yarn through guides and rollers
- Watching cloth for weaving defects
- Finding why a loom has stopped
- Cutting and pulling out flawed filling
- Stopping machines once the run is done
- Telling repair staff about breakdowns
AI & the future of this role
Knitting and weaving lines already lean on continuous monitoring, so smarter controls could further reduce routine tending. Thread-ups, fabric faults, and changeovers still call for practical experience beside the machines.
Does Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details