Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. PayThe median annual wage for food processing equipment workers was $41,230 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,600 openings for food processing equipment workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food processing equipment workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food processing equipment workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for food processing equipment workers was $41,230 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,600 openings for food processing equipment workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food processing equipment workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food processing equipment workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,600 openings for food processing equipment workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food processing equipment workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food processing equipment workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products.
Work Environment
Most food processing equipment workers are employed in manufacturing facilities. Because of production schedules, shift work is common and may include early mornings, evenings, or nights. Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time.
How to Become a Food Processing Equipment Worker
Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Pay
The median annual wage for food processing equipment workers was $41,230 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 36,600 openings for food processing equipment workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food processing equipment workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food processing equipment workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most food processing equipment workers are employed in manufacturing facilities. Because of production schedules, shift work is common and may include early mornings, evenings, or nights. Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time.
How to Become a Food Processing Equipment Worker
Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Pay
The median annual wage for food processing equipment workers was $41,230 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 36,600 openings for food processing equipment workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food processing equipment workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food processing equipment workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food processing equipment workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food processing equipment workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about food processing equipment workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.