Occupation · SOC 51-6062
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Median wage
$37,940
$27,230–$49,080
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
8,960
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
1 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisMonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingCoordinationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Production and Processing
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareIndustrial control softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric following patterns, using electric or manual knives, cutters, or computer numerically controlled cutting devices.Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.Record information about work completed and machine settings.Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.Repair or replace worn or defective parts or components, using hand tools.Clean, oil, and lubricate machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oilcans, and grease guns.Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.Operate machines to cut multiple layers of fabric into parts for articles such as canvas goods, house furnishings, garments, hats, or stuffed toys.Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments.Program electronic equipment.Study guides, samples, charts, and specification sheets or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine set-up requirements.Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.Operate machines for test runs to verify adjustments and to obtain product samples.Install, level, and align components, such as gears, chains, guides, dies, cutters, or needles, to set up machinery for operation.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Fabric layers and cutting patterns — position and align under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.Electric knives and manual cutters — identify and handle safely following established safety protocols in a textile facility.Machine start-up procedures — execute step-by-step under close supervision before beginning a standard cutting run.Basic machine controls such as speed and tension settings — locate and adjust with direct instruction from a lead operator.Finished cut pieces — inspect visually against simple quality checklists under supervisor direction.Work completion records and basic machine settings — record manually on standard production log sheets as directed.Mechanical malfunctions and unusual machine sounds — recognize and report promptly to a supervisor on the production line.Coworker and supervisor instructions about order specifications — listen actively and clarify before beginning tasks.Arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity — apply when guiding cutting tools along pattern edges in entry-level cutting tasks.Cutting machine components and basic tooling — identify by name and function during initial on-the-job orientation.
developing
Layered fabric stacks and pre-marked patterns — cut accurately using electric or CNC cutting devices with minimal oversight on routine production runs.Machine controls including heating mechanisms, tensions, and speeds — adjust independently to meet standard product specifications.Ongoing cutting machine operations — monitor continuously and make routine adjustments to maintain output quality.Cut textile products — inspect against dimensional and quality standards, identifying common defects without supervisor prompting.Production records and machine configuration data — enter consistently into spreadsheet or ERP software at shift end.Machinery condition — inspect at the start and end of each shift and document findings on maintenance checklists.Mechanical issues beyond routine adjustment — escalate to supervisors with a clear description of observed symptoms.Order requirements and process changes — discuss with coworkers to coordinate workflow across adjacent workstations.CNC or computer-aided cutting software — operate for standard cut files under established production parameters.Selective attention and control precision — apply when monitoring multiple machine functions simultaneously during high-volume runs.
proficient
Complex pattern layouts on multi-layer fabric — plan and execute efficiently using CAD software to minimize material waste in full production environments.Full range of cutting machine controls — set up, calibrate, and fine-tune autonomously for non-standard materials or specialty orders.Cutting machine operations across an entire shift — monitor independently, diagnosing and correcting process deviations before product defects occur.Finished and in-process textile products — conduct thorough quality control analysis and reject or rework non-conforming pieces without escalation.Troubleshooting of mechanical malfunctions — perform systematic diagnosis using knowledge of machine components and recommend or initiate repairs.Production and machine-setting records — maintain accurately in ERP or enterprise software, ensuring traceability across multiple order runs.Maintenance inspections — carry out proactively, identifying wear patterns and coordinating minor repairs to reduce unplanned downtime.Cross-functional communication with coworkers and leads — facilitate clearly to resolve order discrepancies, process bottlenecks, and quality concerns.Industrial control software and office suite tools — use proficiently to document workflows, report production metrics, and track equipment status.Static strength and multilimb coordination — apply consistently when handling heavy fabric rolls and operating manual cutting equipment through extended production shifts.
advanced
Cutting department workflows and machine assignments — plan and optimize across multiple operators and shifts to meet high-volume production targets.Quality standards and inspection protocols — develop, communicate, and enforce facility-wide to ensure consistent conformance to product specifications.New operator training programs — design and deliver for machine setup, cutting techniques, and safety procedures aligned with Job Zone 2 skill requirements.Machine maintenance schedules and repair prioritization — oversee and coordinate with maintenance staff to sustain equipment reliability across the production floor.CNC cutting programs and CAD-generated cut files — review, approve, and troubleshoot at an organizational level to reduce scrap rates and improve yield.Production data captured in ERP systems — analyze trends and present actionable findings to management for process improvement decisions.Cross-departmental coordination with design, procurement, and quality teams — lead to align material specifications and cutting parameters with downstream production needs.Continuous improvement initiatives for cutting operations — champion using root-cause analysis of defect data, downtime records, and operator feedback.Workplace safety and cautiousness culture — model and reinforce by auditing practices, updating standard operating procedures, and coaching all skill levels.Departmental performance goals including throughput, waste reduction, and equipment uptime — set, track, and report to facility leadership on a regular basis.
Also known as
149 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Swatch CutterDie Cut OperatorCloth Trimmer, MachineStripping Cutter And WinderFabric CutterTube Laser OperatorCutting-Machine FixerAircrew Flight Equipment Helper (Air Force 1P011)SilkerLaser Tracker OperatorTrimming Machine OperatorFabrics CutterMachine Scallop CutterSliver CutterBand CutterElectric Knife OperatorMachine TrimmerSynthetic Cloth Binding CutterAircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman (Air Force 1P051)Corduroy-Cutter OperatorSweatband SeparatorCutting-Machine OperatorValance CutterRotary Cutter OperatorFelt Cutting Machine OperatorAutomatic Folding Machine OperatorDie CutterClipperAutomated Cutting Machine OperatorDrapery CutterBand-Saw OperatorEmbroidery Machine OperatorCropperLace CutterDie Cutting Machine OperatorTrimmerMachinist (Marine Corps 2161)Corduroy Cutter OperatorAircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman, Ejection Seat Aircraft (Air Force 1P071A)Chin-Strap Cutter