Transportation & Logistics
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Also called: Cotton Tipper, Dryer Feeder, Feeder, Lug Loader
US median pay
$41,220
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-13.1%
declining
Openings a year (US)
4,000
41,800 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
What they do day to 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.
- 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.
- Transfer materials and products to and from machinery and equipment, using industrial trucks or hand trucks.
- Fasten, package, or stack materials and products, using hand tools and fastening equipment.
- Remove materials and products from machines and equipment, and place them in boxes, trucks or conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.4/5
- Troubleshooting2.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.8/5
- Operation and Control2.6/5
- Time Management2.5/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.5/5
- Coordination2.5/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Mechanical3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- English Language2.9/5
- Public Safety and Security2.7/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
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): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma73%
- Less than high school21%
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.