# Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

> Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-6062.00
- **Summary:** Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.

## Aliases

- Cutter
- Cutter Operator
- Fabric Cutter
- Spreader
- Automated Cutting Machine Operator
- CNC Cutting Operator (Computer Numerical Control Cutting Operator)
- Die Cut Operator
- Laser Operator
- Spread Cutter
- Textile Slitting Machine Operator
- Automatic Die Cutting Machine Operator
- Automatic Folding Machine Operator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Operate machines to cut multiple layers of fabric into parts for articles such as canvas goods, house furnishings, garments, hats, or stuffed toys. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Adjust cutting techniques to types of fabrics and styles of garments. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.k |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Program electronic equipment. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.b.1.a |
| Study guides, samples, charts, and specification sheets or confer with supervisors or engineering staff to determine set-up requirements. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Record information about work completed and machine settings. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.g |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Cut fabrics. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces. | 4.A.3.a.2.v |
| Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs. | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Replace worn equipment components. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Repair production equipment or tools. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Inspect production equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Operate textile cutting or production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Exchange information with colleagues. | 4.A.4.a.2.c |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Conduct test runs of production equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Install mechanical components in production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.at |
| Program equipment to perform production tasks. | 4.A.3.b.1.a |
| Feed materials or products into or through equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Inspect products or operations to ensure that standards are met. | 4.A.1.a.2.k |
| Inspect work to ensure standards are met. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Inspect textile products. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.62 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.28 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.12 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.12 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.12 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.12 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Equipment Maintenance | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Repairing | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |
| Response Orientation | ability | 3 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 2.88 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 2.88 |
| Extent Flexibility | ability | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Windows | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| HAISEN SoftWare System | Industrial control software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.7 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.37 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.36 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.29 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.1 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.04 |
| Time Pressure | 3.88 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.72 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.69 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.57 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.53 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.5 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.39 |
| Contact With Others | 3.35 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.27 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.26 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.16 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.14 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.07 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 2.84 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.83 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 2.82 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.75 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 2.68 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.66 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 2.58 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.56 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.48 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 2.43 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 2.34 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 2.3 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 2.13 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.12 |
| Level of Competition | 2.09 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.06 |
| Exposed to High Places | 2 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 1.98 |
| Telephone Conversations | 1.88 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 1.81 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 1.75 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 67.69 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 32.31 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.36 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.49 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.29 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 3.05 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.17 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.11 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 1.95 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 1.67 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.56 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 1.55 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.51 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 1.5 |
| Applied Arts and Design | specific_interest_area | 1.46 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 1.32 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 1.27 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-9196.00 | role-51-9196-00 | Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Primary-Short |
| 51-4033.00 | role-51-4033-00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-4031.00 | role-51-4031-00 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-9031.00 | role-51-9031-00 | Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | Primary-Long |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-9191.00 | role-51-9191-00 | Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 53-7063.00 | role-53-7063-00 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | Primary-Long |
| 51-4081.00 | role-51-4081-00 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4194.00 | role-51-4194-00 | Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | Supplemental |
| 51-7041.00 | role-51-7041-00 | Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 37940
- **Mean Wage:** 38500
- **Pct10Wage:** 27230
- **Pct25Wage:** 32380
- **Pct75Wage:** 43710
- **Pct90Wage:** 49080
- **Employment:** 8960
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 7420 | 38030 | 10 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 690 | 38910 | 1.97 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 220 | 37940 | 0.42 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 190 | 37940 | 1.23 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 170 | 37290 | 0.19 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 160 | 28200 | 0.62 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 140 | 37500 | 0.33 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 70 | 37500 |  |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector |  | 31200 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 7420 | 10 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 690 | 1.97 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 190 | 1.23 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 160 | 0.62 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 220 | 0.42 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 140 | 0.33 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 170 | 0.19 |
- **Count:** 9

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.95 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.022949 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.7846009 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.116033 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 26
- **Percentile:** 24
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 17 | felten_aioe |
| 26 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 34 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.022949 | 17 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.21428571428571427 | 26 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.1125743953801398 | 34 | Moderate | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.95
- **Percentile:** 89
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.10714285714285714
- **Beta:** 0.1607142857142857
- **Gamma:** 0.21428571428571427

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Program electronic equipment. | 0.1373203127246733 | 4.21 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -11.7
- **Growth Percentile:** 4
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 1
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 15
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 9.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 8.2

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 1
- **Task Count:** 1
- **Total Sample:** 470
- **Autonomy Median:** 4
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 67.87
- **Augmentation Share:** 27.24
- **Work Use Percent:** 50.21

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 37.23 |
| feedback loop | 30.64 |
| learning | 15.96 |
| task iteration | 11.28 |
| none | 3.62 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| work | 50.21 |
| personal | 25.53 |
| coursework | 24.26 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Program electronic equipment. | 0.04700587573446681 | directive | 4 | 470 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Program electronic equipment. | 70.63829787234043 | 470 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Do this for me: program electronic equipment. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 18
- **Skills:** 36
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 8
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 5d8026eb7c9ca6c4