Career Overview
Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
Also Known As
- Blender
- Machine Operator
- Mixer
- Mixer Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Abrasive Mixer
- Acetylene Cylinder Packing Mixer
- Acid Adjuster
- Acid Blower
- Acid Mixer
- Ammonia Worker
- Asphalt Blender
- Asphalt Mixer
- Asphalt Mixing Machine Operator
- Auger Mill Operator
- Automatic Brine Mixer Operator
- Banbury Machine Operator
- Banbury Mill Operator
- Banbury Mixer Operator
- Banbury Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.
- Read work orders to determine production specifications or information.
- Observe production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
- Mix or blend ingredients by starting machines and mixing for specified times.
- Stop mixing or blending machines when specified product qualities are obtained and open valves and start pumps to transfer mixtures.
- Compound or process ingredients or dyes, according to formulas.
- Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Selective Attention
- Perceptual Speed
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Written Comprehension
- Category Flexibility
- Oral Comprehension
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- 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
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Claw hammers
- Desktop computers
- Dollies
- Forklifts
- Gram scales
- Handtrucks
- Hydraulic lifts
- Hydrometers
- Locking pliers
- Measuring sticks
- Overhead cranes
- Pallet movers
- Personal computers
- pH indicators
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Standing
- Time Pressure
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Contaminants
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $35,000 |
| Median | $47,680 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $67,570 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 100,840
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,500
Food Batchmakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $40,790
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,460
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,890
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,130
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.