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      Machine Feeders and Offbearers

      Description: what do they do?
      Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
      Also known as:
      Cotton Tipper, Dryer Feeder, Feeder, Lug Loader, Machine Feeder, Offbearer, Sawmill Worker, Sewing Line Baler, Tube Puller

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        What does this information tell me?

        This description is a quick overview of what workers in this career might do.

        "Also known as" shows other common names for this career.

        What is the source of this information?

        This information comes from an O*NET database. Learn more on the Help page.
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      Career video
      https://cdn.careeronestop.org/OccVids/OccupationVideos/53-7062.00.mp4
        Transcript: While computers and machines now perform many kinds of work, the ability to accomplish a job using your own hands and strength has a value and reward all its own. Laboring with your hands takes coordination and stamina, but it also takes customer service skills and the ability to follow through on instructions. Several jobs require these qualities: Most hand laborers and freight, stock, and material movers work as pickers in warehouses… retrieving items from storage to be loaded and shipped. They may need to pack and wrap items, or load and unload them from a truck. Packers and packagers pack groceries for customers, or pack shipping materials for transport. They often label packages and keep records of what they’ve packed. Vehicle and equipment cleaners wash vehicles, storage tanks, and industrial machinery. Most clean cars for an auto dealership, car rental agency, or car wash. Machine feeders work in manufacturing or warehouses… they insert materials into equipment, while offbearers remove materials from equipment after processing. Refuse and recyclable material collectors pick up garbage and recyclables from homes and businesses to transport to a landfill or recycling center. Most work either in waste collection or for local government. Most hand laborers and material movers work full time, though part-time hours are not uncommon. Warehouse and shipping positions may require overnight shifts. It’s typical for employers to require that workers have the ability to lift a certain weight to qualify for the job, but there are no formal education requirements. Jobs often include repetitive movement and heavy lifting.
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      Outlook: will there be jobs?
      Image. Employment outlook for this occupation
      New job opportunities are less likely in the future.


      Find job openings
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        What does this information tell me?

        Outlook information can tell you whether a career is expected to be in demand in the future—that is, whether there are likely to be job openings if you choose this career.

        Careers can have one of three outlooks:

        • A Bright outlook means new job opportunities are very likely in the future
        • An Average outlook means that a small number of new job opportunities are likely in the future (less than an 8 percent increase)
        • A Below Average outlook means new job opportunities are less likely in the future

        You can also view local job listings in this field by clicking "Find job openings". This can help you see if local businesses are hiring—another way of looking at demand.

        What is the source of this information?

        This information comes from O*NET Bright Outlook occupations and My Next Move career outlook designations (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2023-33). Note this information is only available at a national level, so even if you selected a state, you’ll see this information for the whole country.
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      Projected employment
      United States
      43,800
      2023 Employment
      38,200
      2033 Employment
      -13%
      Percent change
      5,100
      Annual projected job openings

      Compare projected employment
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        What does this information tell me?

        Projected employment shows how much employment is expected to grow in this occupation over a 10-year period. This can help you decide if this career is a good choice for future job opportunities. You can look at projected employment in your state, or in other states where you might consider living.

        You can see the total number of people employed in this occupation in 2022 (for states) or 2023 (for national), the number expected to be employed in 2032 (for states) or 2033 (for national), and the rate of growth over those years.

        The projections are based on assumptions of unemployment rates and labor productivity growth rates.  While the projected numbers may not be exact, they are helpful to compare one career to another, or one location to another.

        What is the source of this information?

        State-level data come from Projections Central and State Labor Market Information offices, 2022-32.

        National-level data come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2023-33.
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      Typical wages
      Hourly Wages

      Annual wages for Machine Feeders and Offbearers in United States
      This graph displays wage data. Find details by selecting the table view.

      See more wages
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        What does this information tell me?

        This chart shows you a range of how much most workers in this occupation earn per hour, in the location that you selected.

        You can select from three views of this data:

        • The Graph shows you wages at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles. Note that the lowest (10th %ile) wage shown is not necessarily a "starting wage." Instead it means that 10 percent of all workers in this career earn less that this amount, and 90 percent earn more. However, you can assume that you might earn close to the 10th or 25th %ile wages when you start out in most careers.
        • Select "Chart" to see a visual comparison between national wages and wages in the location you selected.
        • Select "Table" to see more wage data the national and local level.

        Please note that wage data are not available at the city or ZIP code level. If you select a city or ZIP code, you will see wage data for the regional area.

        You can learn more about wages for this and other occupations by clicking “See more wages” above.

        What is the source of this information?

        The wage information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program, May 2023 estimates. For more detailed state wage data, please find the link to your state's wage data program in the Other Resources box.
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      Education and experience: to get started
      People starting in this career usually have:
      • No formal educational credential
      • No work experience
      • Less than 1 month on-the-job training

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        What does this information tell me?

        This shows you the typical level of education, work experience, and on-the-job training that most people have when they start in this career. Note that these are not requirements for entering this field, but the information can help you understand how qualified you might be.

        Interested in starting in this career? You can search for education programs in your local area by clicking “Find local training” above.

        What is the source of this information?

        The educational program data come from the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

        The employment information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, Education and training assignments by detailed occupation, 2023.

        The crosswalk between education and occupation data is from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
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      Typical education
      How much education do most people in this career have?
      Chart. Percent of workers in this field by education level attained

      Find local training
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        What does this information tell me?

        This chart shows you the range of education levels that people who currently work in this field have. You can use this to see if you fit in this range. Note that this includes ALL people who work in this field and not just those getting started.

        Interested in getting qualified for this career? You can search for programs that lead to the education needed, in your local area, by clicking “Find local training” above.

        What is the source of this information?

        This information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, Educational attainment for workers 25 years and older by detailed occupation, 2021-22.
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      Certifications: show your skills
      Let employers know you have the skills to do well at this job.
      Earning a certification can help you:
      • Get a job
      • Get a promotion

      Find certifications
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        What does this information tell me?

        When you click "Find certifications" you'll see a list of national certifications that are related to this career. From there, you can learn how to achieve one of these certifications to help you enter or get ahead in this field.

        What is the source of this information?

        This collection of occupational certifications is collected and regularly updated by CareerOneStop. Learn more at Certification Finder Help.
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      Licenses: do you need one?
      Some states require an occupational license to work in this career.

      Find license details for your state
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        What does this information tell me?

        When you click "Find license details in your state" you'll see the license name and contact information for the agency in your state that oversees licensing for this field. If you have not selected a location, you'll see a list of all state licenses for this occupation.

        What is the source of this information?

        Information on licensed occupations is gathered in each state by Labor Market Information units under a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Learn more at License Finder Help.
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      Apprenticeships: learn on the job
      Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job-training with classroom lessons.

      Find apprenticeship opportunities
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      Activities: what you might do in a day
      • Inspect items for damage or defects.
      • Inspect work to ensure standards are met.
      • Record operational or production data.
      • Operate conveyors or other industrial material moving equipment.
      • Measure product or material dimensions.
      • Weigh materials to ensure compliance with specifications.
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        What does this information tell me?

        This is a list of typical work activities that people in this career might do on the job. You can use this list to get an idea of whether this career might be a good fit for you.

        Click on “More activities” to see more detailed examples of activities for this career.

        You can also use this list to help you prepare for a job interview. Or, if you’ve already held a job like this, you can copy these activities to use on your resume.

        What is the source of this information?

        This information comes from O*NET OnLine's Occupation Information. They are O*NET’s Detailed Work Activities.
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      Knowledge
      People in this career often know a lot about:
      • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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        What does this information tell me?

        This is a list of general knowledge areas that are most commonly required for jobs in the career. Knowledge is typically gained through education and related experience.

        This list can help you learn if you are prepared for a job in this career. It can also help you decide on education or training programs that could help you prepare for the career.

        What is the source of this information?

        This information comes from the O*NET Resource Center. Learn more about O*NET's Knowledge descriptors.
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      Skills
      People in this career often have these skills:
      • Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
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        What does this information tell me?

        This is a list of a list the work-related skills most commonly required for jobs in the career.

        This list can help you understand how well your current skills fit this career. It can also help you plan your education or professional development.

        What is the source of this information?

        This information comes from the O*NET Resource Center. Learn more about O*NET's Skills descriptors.
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      Abilities
      People in this career often have talent in:
      • Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
      • Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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        What does this information tell me?

        This is a list of a list of personal qualities that might influence work and are most commonly required for success in this career.

        This list can help you understand if your natural strengths and abilities are a good fit for this career.

        What is the source of this information?

        This information comes from the O*NET Resource Center. Learn more about O*NET's Abilities descriptors.
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