Explore safer careers (5)
Lower estimated automation risk
Why it fits
Experienced feeders can move toward coordinating line staffing, throughput, safety, and basic quality routines.
Why it fits
Feeding and tending automated equipment can support a move into CNC operation with targeted technical training.
Why it fits
Uses production-line material handling and machine monitoring with focused setup and process training.
Why it fits
Applies material flow, package handling, counts, labels, and location tracking to inventory records.
Why it fits
Reuses product handling, defect spotting, sorting standards, measurement, and quality documentation.
Occupation snapshot
What does this snowflake show?
What's this?
We rate jobs using four factors. These are:
- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions
These are some key things to think about when job hunting.
Risk & user votes
Calculated automation risk
Imminent Risk (81-100%): This occupation appears highly exposed to end-to-end replacement by AI, software, robotics, or other computer-controlled systems. Roles in this range often involve predictable, repeatable, or rules-based work with limited need for human judgement, trust, creativity, or adaptation to messy real-world conditions. This does not mean every job will disappear immediately, but it is a strong signal to consider safer alternatives or start building more resilient skills.
More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.
Human strengths important in this job
These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.
What users think
Based on 28 votes
Our visitors have voted that it's very probable this occupation will be automated. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 83% chance of automation.
What do you think the risk of automation is?
What is the likelihood that Machine Feeders and Offbearers will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?
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Pay & outlook
Wages
In 2024, the median annual wage for Machine Feeders and Offbearers was $39,700 ($19 per hour).
The median annual wage for Machine Feeders and Offbearers was 19.8% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.
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Wages over time
Growth
The number of 'Machine Feeders and Offbearers' job openings is expected to decline 13.0% by 2034
View employment trend
Total employment, and estimated job openings
Updated projections are due 09-2025.
Volume
As of 2024 there were 46,690 people employed as 'Machine Feeders and Offbearers' within the United States.
This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country
Put another way, around 1 in 3 thousand people are employed as 'Machine Feeders and Offbearers'.
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Job description
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
O*NET-SOC code: 53-7063.00
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