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Food Manufacturing
Tyson Foods, Nestlé, Conagra Brands
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
This job is about setting up cutting and slicing machines, keeping them running, and checking the output so the finished pieces meet spec. The work is distinct because small changes in speed, pressure, or alignment can make the difference between clean cuts and a pile of scrap. The tradeoff is straightforward: the role is relatively easy to enter, but it is repetitive, physically demanding, and tied to a field that is expected to shrink slightly.
Also known as Cutting Machine OperatorSlicing Machine OperatorProduction Machine OperatorMachine TenderSlitter Operator
Median Salary
$45,700
Mean $46,420
U.S. Workforce
~48K
5.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-2.3%
49K to 47.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~48K workers, with a median annual pay of $45,700 and roughly 5.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 49 K in 2024 to 47.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Machine Helper and can progress toward Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operations Monitoring, Machine Controls and Adjustments, and Quality Control Inspection, paired with soft skills such as Attention to Detail, Hand-Eye Coordination, and Communication with Supervisors.
Core Responsibilities
- Set machine speed, pressure, and alignment so the cuts come out the right size and shape.
- Check finished pieces with rulers, micrometers, scales, or similar tools to make sure they meet quality standards.
- Watch the machine closely for jams, worn parts, or low material supply so problems are caught early.
- Start and run the equipment using the controls, pedals, buttons, or levers on the line.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set machine speed, pressure, and alignment so the cuts come out the right size and shape.
02 Check finished pieces with rulers, micrometers, scales, or similar tools to make sure they meet quality standards.
03 Watch the machine closely for jams, worn parts, or low material supply so problems are caught early.
04 Start and run the equipment using the controls, pedals, buttons, or levers on the line.
05 Pull off finished product, sort out defective pieces, and adjust the machine so the next run is on target.
06 Clean blades, conveyors, and other moving parts, then lubricate them to keep the line running smoothly.
Industries That Hire
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Paper and Packaging
International Paper, Packaging Corporation of America, Smurfit Westrock
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Glass, Stone, and Building Materials
Saint-Gobain, Corning, Owens Corning
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Plastics and Rubber
Berry Global, Goodyear, Michelin
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Tobacco and Consumer Products
Altria, Philip Morris USA, Reynolds American
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the job with a high school diploma or equivalent, and the role does not require prior experience.
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The pay is decent for a hands-on production job, with median annual earnings of $45,700 and mean pay of $46,420.
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There are still about 5.3K annual openings, so people do keep moving into and out of the field.
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The work is concrete and measurable: you can see when a machine is running smoothly and when defective product is being caught early.
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The skills transfer across food plants, paper mills, glass shops, and other manufacturing lines, which gives you more employer options.
Challenges
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The field is expected to shrink by 2.3%, from 49.0K jobs in 2024 to 47.9K in 2034, so it is not a growth occupation.
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A lot of the work is repetitive and physical, including standing for long stretches, stacking product, and cleaning machine parts.
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Small setup errors can waste material or stop the line, so the job demands constant attention and can be mentally tiring.
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Routine machine-tending work is vulnerable to automation and process upgrades, which creates long-term pressure on this kind of role.
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The career ceiling can be limited unless you move into lead, maintenance, or supervision work, so higher pay often means leaving the core operator track.
Career Progression
Machine Helper
0-1 years
$29K-$34K
Helps feed material, clear small jams, and learn the basic routines of the line while working under close supervision.
Cutting Machine Operator
1-3 years
$35K-$41K
Runs a simpler machine, makes routine adjustments, and checks the first pieces for obvious defects.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender THIS ROLE
3-6 years
$42K-$50K
Sets up the equipment, watches output closely, and corrects alignment or pressure issues before they turn into waste.
Lead Machine Operator
6-10 years
$51K-$60K
Handles changeovers, helps newer operators, and solves recurring quality or downtime problems on the line.
Production Supervisor
10+ years
$61K-$78K
Oversees several operators or shifts, manages output and safety, and keeps production moving when equipment or staffing issues come up.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 55.36% of workers in this role, and usually followed by moderate on-the-job training.
Less than high school diploma
A sizable share of workers, 38.14%, get into the occupation without finishing high school, usually by learning the job directly on the floor.
Post-secondary certificate in manufacturing or machine operation
A smaller path, held by 4.91% of workers, can help candidates learn machine setup, safety, and basic quality checks before applying.
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Many employers rely on hands-on training after hiring, which matches the BLS note of moderate-term on-the-job training.
Key Skills
Technical
Operations Monitoring 100%
Machine Controls and Adjustments 83%
Quality Control Inspection 67%
Line Monitoring and Replenishment Checks 33%
Precision Measurement Tools (rulers, micrometers, scales) 16%
Soft Skills
Attention to DetailHand-Eye CoordinationCommunication with SupervisorsProblem SolvingPace ManagementSafety Awareness Job Outlook and Trends
+-2.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
5.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 49K to 47.9 K over the next decade, representing -2.3% growth. Around 5.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.