Occupation · SOC 51-6061
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
Median wage
$37,320
$28,990–$47,660
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
5,820
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlTime ManagementMonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationTroubleshootingSocial PerceptivenessEquipment MaintenanceComplex Problem SolvingWritingRepairingMathematicsEquipment SelectionSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisActive LearningService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesInstructingManagement of Material ResourcesInstallationTechnology DesignScienceOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesProgramming
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsEnglish LanguageMechanicalComputers and ElectronicsChemistryPersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministrativeEngineering and TechnologyPsychologyDesignSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsTransportationLaw and GovernmentSociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageFood ProductionGeographyBiologyTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Hewlett-Packard HP OpenVMSLinuxMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP software
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGetting InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAnalyzing Data or InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentThinking CreativelyDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Dye and chemical ingredients — weigh and measure under direct supervision using established formulas in a textile processing facility.Bleaching and dyeing machines — start up and shut down following step-by-step protocols on a supervised production floor.Control panels and display screens — observe and report readings to a supervisor during routine machine operation.Equipment malfunctions — recognize and notify supervisors or mechanics promptly when abnormal conditions are detected.Temperature and dye flow rate gauges — monitor and record values against specified ranges under close guidance.Dye solutions in processing tanks — add measured amounts of dyes, water, or chemicals according to written formulas with supervisor oversight.Finished fabric and yarn — examine visually and by touch to identify obvious color defects under direction from a lead operator.Equipment controls for heat, tension, and speed — make basic adjustments following written instructions on a production line.Safety and handling procedures — follow established protocols when working with chemical dyes and bleaching agents in the plant.Production records and shift logs — complete basic entries accurately using provided templates on the shop floor.
developing
Dye and additive weights — calculate and measure independently for standard batch formulas with reduced oversight in a production setting.Washing, bleaching, and dyeing machines — operate and control routinely to process fabric, yarn, and thread within scheduled production runs.Process monitoring displays and cloth flow — observe continuously and make routine corrections to keep equipment operating within spec.Equipment irregularities — diagnose early warning signs and escalate to mechanics or supervisors with clear description of the issue.Temperature and flow rate parameters — track across multiple processing stages and adjust inputs to maintain consistent quality.Solution dilution and strengthening — add dyes, detergents, and chemicals to tanks based on solution test results and established procedures.Fabric and yarn quality — inspect texture and color consistency against processing standards, flagging variations for corrective action.Heat, tension, and speed controls — adjust equipment settings in response to changing material characteristics during a production shift.Time management across tasks — prioritize machine monitoring, chemical additions, and quality checks to meet shift production targets.Spreadsheet and ERP software — enter production data and batch records accurately into plant systems at the end of each shift.
proficient
Complex dye formulas — develop and verify ingredient weights for non-standard batches independently, ensuring color accuracy across varied textile goods.Full range of bleaching and dyeing equipment — operate and optimize across multiple machine types to meet quality and throughput targets without supervision.Multi-stage process monitoring — interpret control panel data, screen readings, and physical cloth examination simultaneously to prevent defects.Equipment malfunctions — troubleshoot root causes, coordinate with mechanics, and implement interim process adjustments to minimize downtime.Temperature, tension, and dye flow interdependencies — manage and fine-tune across the entire production cycle to achieve consistent colorfastness and finish.Chemical solution management — test, evaluate, and reformulate tank solutions to compensate for material or environmental variability in the plant.Defect identification and root cause analysis — examine and feel finished textiles to trace quality deviations back to specific process variables.Equipment control calibration — adjust heat, speed, and tension parameters proactively based on historical data and real-time observations.Production and processing knowledge — apply understanding of fiber types and chemical interactions to optimize dye uptake and minimize waste.ERP and reporting systems — generate detailed production and quality reports that support continuous improvement decisions in the facility.
advanced
Dyeing and bleaching process standards — establish and update facility-wide formulas, procedures, and quality benchmarks for all textile processing operations.Machine operation training programs — design and deliver hands-on instruction for new and developing operators on equipment use and process control.Plant-wide equipment performance — oversee monitoring protocols across all production lines, implementing preventive maintenance schedules to reduce downtime.Cross-functional problem resolution — lead investigations into systemic quality failures, coordinating with supervisors, mechanics, and quality teams to implement fixes.Chemical usage and waste reduction — develop strategies to optimize dye and chemical consumption across the facility, reducing cost and environmental impact.Quality assurance frameworks — set color and finish inspection standards and lead audits to ensure consistent compliance with customer specifications.Production throughput and scheduling — direct shift-level resource allocation, balancing machine capacity and chemical availability to meet output goals.Workforce competency development — mentor operators at all levels, fostering attention to detail, dependability, and stress tolerance in a high-paced environment.Technology integration — evaluate and lead adoption of ERP, process-control software, and digital monitoring tools to modernize plant operations.Operational performance reporting — present production quality metrics, improvement initiatives, and resource utilization data to plant management and leadership teams.
Also known as
134 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AgerAger OperatorAger TenderAging Box HandAmmonia Box OperatorAmmonia Box TenderAsh Kier BoilerAutoclave OperatorAutomation OperatorAutomation TenderBack WasherBag BleacherBark TannerBeam DyerBeam Dyer OperatorBeck OperatorBlancherBlanching Machine OperatorBleach Machine OperatorBleach Range OperatorBleacherBlenderChain DyerChemical CoordinatorCloth Boil Off Machine OperatorCloth ColorerCloth Dye-Range OperatorCloth DyerCloth FinisherCloth Finishing Range OperatorCloth Finishing Range TenderCloth PainterCloth ShaderCloth ShrinkerCloth Shrinking Machine OperatorCloth WasherCloth Washer OperatorColor BlenderColor GrinderColor Maker