Production
Food Batchmakers
Also called: Batching Operator, Blender, Brewing Technician, Compounder
US median pay
$42,290
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+6.5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
23,100
176,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.
What they do day to day
- Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
- Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas.
- Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
- Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or an agitator, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients.
- Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color.
- Give directions to other workers who are assisting in the batchmaking process.
- Select and measure or weigh ingredients, using English or metric measures and balance scales.
- Press switches and turn knobs to start, adjust, and regulate equipment, such as beaters, extruders, discharge pipes, and salt pumps.
- Determine mixing sequences, based on knowledge of temperature effects and of the solubility of specific ingredients.
- Observe and listen to equipment to detect possible malfunctions, such as leaks or plugging, and report malfunctions or undesirable tastes to supervisors.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.2/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.8/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security4.3/5
- Food Production4.3/5
- Production and Processing4.2/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Mechanical3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma38%
- Some college27%
- Post-secondary certificate22%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.