Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Career Overview

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

Also Known As

Dryer Feeder
Feeder
Machine Feeder
Offbearer

Alternate Job Titles

Acid Dumper
Archery Equipment Hay Sorter
Assembly Machine Operator
Automatic Glove Turner and Former
Automatic Nail Polish Brush Machine Feeder
Automatic Nailing Machine Feeder
Automatic Spooler Operator
Automatic Stacker
Back Tender
Ball Machine Operator
Bar Catcher
Barking Machine Feeder
Base Remover
Batch Trucker
Battery Loader

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

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.
Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.
Load materials and products into machines and equipment, or onto conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control Precision
Reaction Time
Rate Control
Oral Expression
Near Vision
Oral Comprehension
Problem Sensitivity
Static Strength
Information Ordering

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cautiousness
Integrity
Stress Tolerance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Relationships
Support
Independence
Working Conditions
Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook

Tools & Equipment

Conveyor belt systems
Digital floor scales
Electric hoists
Electric winches
Feeder consoles
Folder gluers
Grinder machines
Hoppers
Label applicators
Machine wrappers
Manual pallet jacks
Mechanical sheet feeders
Milling machines
Overhead track cranes
Personal computers

Work Environment

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Spend Time Standing
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$31,480
Median	$39,700
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$57,010

Workers Employed Nationally: 46,690