Education:
38%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
27%
Some College Courses
Food Batchmakers
This is a sub-career of
Food Processing Equipment Worker
More sub-careers
Select a specialized sub-career for more details.
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Job Outlook:
Faster than average
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent
Salary
High:
$52,580.00
Average:
$38,710.00
Hourly
Average:
$18.61
What they do:
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.
On the job, you would:
- Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
- Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas.
- Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
Important Qualities
Detail oriented. Workers must be able to detect small changes in the quality or quantity of food products. They must also follow health and safety standards to avoid injury and prevent food contamination.
Physical stamina. Workers stand for long periods as they tend machines and monitor the production process.
Physical strength. Food processing equipment workers must be able to lift or move heavy boxes of ingredients, which may weigh up to 50 pounds.
Math skills. Workers may need math skills in order to accurately mix specific quantities of ingredients.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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89% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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86% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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82% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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80% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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75% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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75% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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74% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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72% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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72% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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72% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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69% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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69% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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67% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
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100% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. | |
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83% | Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
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66% | Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). | |
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66% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Record operational or production data.
Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
Clean work areas.
Sterilize food cooking or processing equipment.
Operate mixing equipment.
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
Operate mixing equipment.
Operate mixing equipment.
Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
Select production input materials.
Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
Determine food production methods.
Load materials into production equipment.
Operate pumping systems or equipment.
Direct operational or production activities.
Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
Inspect production equipment.
Inspect food products.
Evaluate quality of food ingredients or prepared foods.
Inspect food products.
Determine food production methods.
Inspect food products.
Package products for storage or shipment.
Evaluate quality of food ingredients or prepared foods.
Operate cooking, baking, or other food preparation equipment.
Operate mixing equipment.
Determine food production methods.
Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
Shape clay or dough to create products.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
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96% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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89% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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85% | Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing? | |
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82% | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) | |
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81% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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81% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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80% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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79% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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79% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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77% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
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73% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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72% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
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72% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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70% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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69% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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68% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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68% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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67% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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65% | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
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86% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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86% | Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). | |
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83% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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82% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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79% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. | |
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76% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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75% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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72% | Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. | |
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71% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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69% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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68% | Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. | |
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68% | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. | |
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68% | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
What Food Processing Equipment Workers Do
A food batchmaker stirs curd to make cheese.
Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products.
Duties
Food processing equipment workers typically do the following:
- Set up, start, or load food processing equipment
- Check, weigh, and mix ingredients according to recipes
- Set and control temperatures, flow rates, and pressures of machinery
- Monitor and adjust ingredient mixes during production processes
- Observe and regulate equipment gauges and controls
- Record batch production data
- Clean workspaces and equipment according to health and safety standards
- Check final products to ensure quality
Food processing equipment workers often have different duties depending on the type of machinery they use or the goods they process. Job titles may be specific to the type of food workers produce.
Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders run equipment that uses dry heat to make food or tobacco products. For example, coffee roasters follow recipes and tend machines to produce standard or specialty coffees; dryers of fruits and vegetables operate machines that produce raisins, prunes, and other dehydrated foods.
Food batchmakers operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients to produce shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen foods. For example, cheese makers load raw ingredients into machinery, monitoring the temperature and consistency throughout the production process; candy makers may operate machinery to shape, stretch, or mold lollipops, gumdrops, and other sweets.
Food cooking machine operators and tenders oversee equipment that makes steamed, fried, boiled, or related food products. For example, dumpling machine operators set up and monitor commercial steamers and potato chip manufacturing workers may operate frying equipment.
Other food processing equipment workers operate machines that mix spices, mill grains, or extract oil from seeds.
Work Environment
Food and tobacco processing workers held about 269,200 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up food and tobacco processing workers was distributed as follows:
| Food batchmakers | 171,500 |
| Food processing workers, all other | 48,800 |
| Food cooking machine operators and tenders | 27,300 |
| Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders | 21,500 |
The largest employers of food and tobacco processing workers were as follows:
| Food manufacturing | 76% |
| Employment services | 6 |
Food manufacturing facilities are typically large, open-floor areas with loud machinery. When operating cooking equipment, workers are frequently exposed to high temperatures. When working with goods that need to be refrigerated or frozen, they may be exposed to cold temperatures for long periods.
Depending on the type of food being processed, workers may be required to wear ear protection to guard against hearing loss in noisy facilities. They also may wear masks, hairnets, or gloves to prevent product contamination.
Workers usually stand during their shifts while tending machines or observing the production process. Loading, unloading, or cleaning equipment may require lifting, bending, and reaching.
Injuries and Illnesses
Food processing workers, all other, have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. ("All other" titles represent occupations with a wide range of characteristics that do not fit into any of the other detailed occupations.) Working around hot liquids or machinery that cuts or presses can be dangerous. Common injuries include cuts or result from slips and falls.. To reduce the risks of injuries, workers are required to wear protective clothing and nonslip shoes.
Work Schedules
Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time; part-time work may be common for food cooking machine operators and tenders. Because of production schedules, shift work is common and may include early mornings, evenings, or nights.
Some food processing positions are seasonal.
Getting Started
How to Become a Food Processing Equipment Worker
Experienced workers show trainees how to properly use equipment.
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. Food processing equipment workers usually learn their skills through on-the-job training.
Education
Employers may require or prefer that applicants to food processing equipment jobs have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Because these workers often adjust the quantity of ingredients that go into a mix, math and reading skills are helpful.
Training
Food processing equipment workers learn on the job. Training may last from a few weeks to a few months. During training, workers learn health and safety rules related to the type of food that they process, as well as how to operate specific equipment and detect malfunctions.
Experienced workers typically teach trainees how to properly use and care for equipment.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of food processing equipment workers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 39,900 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.
Employment
Projected employment of food processing equipment workers varies by occupation (see table). Population growth and continuing consumer preference for convenience foods are expected to drive the demand for food, which will in turn require more food processing workers to produce it. Some food manufacturing companies use equipment that automatically weighs and mixes ingredients, which requires fewer workers to operate machines.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about food processing equipment workers, visit
Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International (BCTGM)
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of food processing equipment workers.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians |
Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists. |
Associate's degree | $46,140 |
|
Bakers |
Bakers mix ingredients according to recipes in order to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods. |
No formal educational credential | $32,780 |
|
Butchers |
Butchers cut, trim, and package meat for retail sale. |
No formal educational credential | $36,930 |
|
Cooks |
Cooks season and prepare foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. |
See How to Become One | $30,910 |
|
Food Preparation Workers |
Food preparation workers perform a variety of tasks other than cooking, such as slicing meat and brewing coffee. |
No formal educational credential | $29,790 |
|
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers |
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces. |
See How to Become One | $41,060 |