Manufacturing career directory
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Also called: Automated Cutting Machine Operator, CNC Cutting Operator (Computer Numerical Control Cutting Operator), Cutter, Cutter Operator, Die Cut Operator, Fabric Cutter, Laser Operator, Spread Cutter, Spreader, Textile Slitting Machine Operator, Automatic Die Cutting Machine Operator, Automatic Folding Machine Operator, Automatic Label Cutting Machine Operator, Band Cutter, Barrel Drum Cutter, Bedspread Cutter, Bias Cutting Machine Operator, Binding Cutter, Blanket Cutting Machine Operator, Bolt Cutter, Canvas Cutter, Carpet Cutter, Chin Strap Cutter, Chopped Strand Operator, Clipper, Cloth Cutter, CNC Laser Operator (Computer Numeric Control Laser Operator), Corduroy Cutter Operator, Cropper, Cuff Cutter, Curtain Cutter, Cut Operator, Cutting Machine Fixer, Die Cutter, Die Cutter Operator, Die Cutting Machine Operator, Drapery Cutter, Electric Cutter Operator, Electric Knife Operator, Embroidery Cutter, Embroidery Machine Operator, Fabrics Cutter, Felt Cutter, Felt Cutting Machine Operator, Fur Cutting Machine Operator, Glove Cutter, Hat Cutter, Industrial Fabric Cutter, Knife Cutter, Label Pinker, Lace Cutter, Laser Cutter, Laser Set Up Operator, Laser Tracker, Laser Tracker Operator, Machine Cloth Trimmer, Machine Operator, Machine Scallop Cutter, Machine Trimmer, Material Cutter, Metallic Yarn Slitting Machine Operator, Perforating Machine Operator, Pillowcase Cutter, Pinking Machine Operator, Plush Cutter, Rag Cutting Machine Operator, Rag Shredder, Rib Cutter, Rotary Cutter, Rotary Cutter Operator, Rounding Machine Operator, Rug Cutter, Scallop Binder, Scallop Cutter, Scalloper, Section Cutter, Set Up Operator, Shear Tender, Shearing Machine Feeder, Shearing Machine Operator, Shift Operator, Silk Trimmer, Silker, Slitting Machine Operator, Sliver Cutter, Staple Cutter, Strip Cutting Machine Operator, Stripping Cutter, Swatch Cutter, Sweatband Separator, Synthetic Cloth Binding Cutter, Tab Cutter, Thread Cutter Tender, Trim Operator, Trimmer, Trimmer Machine Operator, Trimming Machine Operator, Tube Laser Operator, Twill Cutter, Upholstery Cutter, Valance Cutter, Velvet Cutter, Welt Cutter, Welt Trimming Machine Operator, Window Shade Cutter, Window Shade Mounter
This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.
What the worker does
- 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.
Skills, machines and equipment
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Education and training
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (67.69% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships
Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.
Salary reference
34,230–45,220 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-6062.
Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.
Career advancement
- Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
- Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.
How Do I Get This Job?
- Review the skills and responsibilities above.
- Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (67.69% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
- Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.
View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.
Related career information
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Sources and limitations
O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.