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Skilled Trades

Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.

Median salary (BLS)

$41,220

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$32k – $58k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Machine Feeders and Offbearers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Machine Feeders and Offbearers

    Entry / Junior

    $32,220

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Machine Feeders and Offbearers

    Established

    $41,220

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Machine Feeders and Offbearers

    Senior

    $49,690

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • •Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
  • •Push dual control buttons and move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.
  • •Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • •Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.