Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.

Also called: Knitter, Knitting Machine Operator, Loom Fixer, Machine Operator, Operator, Tufting Machine Operator, Tufting Operator, Warp Knit Operator, Weaver, Winder Operator, Automated Weaver, Automatic Full-Fashioned Hosiery Knitting Machine Operator, Automatic Pad-Making Machine Operator, Belt Weaver, Blanket Weaver, Braid Pattern Setter, Broadloom Weaver, Carpet Loom Fixer, Carpet Weaver, Circular Knit Operator, Cloth Weaver, Cloth Wire Weaver, Creeler, Crochet Machine Operator, Crocheter, Denier Control Operator, Dobby Loom Weaver, Drawing in Machine Tender, Footer, Fringe Weaver, Full-Fashioned Garment Knitter, Hand Frame Surgical Elastic Knitter, Harness Builder, Harness Placer, Harness Worker, Heddler Tier, Hose Maker, Hosiery Knitter, Indian Blanket Weaver, Jacquard Lace Weaver, Jacquard Loom Carpet Weaver, Jacquard Loom Heddles Tier, Jacquard Loom Weaver, Jacquard Plate Maker, Knitter Mechanic, Knitter Operator, Knitting Machine Fixer, Lace Weaver, Lacemaker, Latcher, Leavers Lace Machine Operator, Legger, Link and Link Knitting Machine Operator, Link Knitting Machine Operator, Loom Changer, Loom Control Chain Builder, Loom Operator, Loop Puller, Looper, Looper Operator, Looping Machine Operator, Machine Knitter, Manufacturing Weaver, Narrow Fabrics Weaver, Needle Felt Making Machine Operator, Needle Loom Operator, Needle Loom Setter, Needle Loom Weaver, Netting Weaver, Pattern Weaver, Pattern Wheel Maker, Plush Weaver, Quilter Fixer, Rib Knitter, Ribber, Ribbing Machine Operator, Ribbon Weaver, Rug Hooker, Rug Weaver, Sample Hand, Sample Weaver, Seamless Hosiery Knitter, Silk Weaver, Smash Fixer, Smash Hand, Smash Piecer, Smasher, Smasher Hand, Surgical Elastic Knitter, Tag Maker, Tape Weaver, Textile Weaver, Threader, Threading Machine Tender, Tire Cord Weaver, Toeing Stockings, Top Knitter, Towel Weaver, Transfer Knitter, Tricot Knitter, Tube Knitter, Velvet Weaver, Warp Knitting Machine Operator, Weaving Loom Operator, Web Knitter, Web Weaver, Webbing Weaver, Wrap Knitting Machine Operator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Observe woven cloth to detect weaving defects.
Thread yarn, thread, and fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines for weaving, knitting, or other processing.
Remove defects in cloth by cutting and pulling out filling.
Examine looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks, or mechanical defects.
Inspect products to ensure that specifications are met and to determine if machines need adjustment.
Notify supervisors or repair staff of mechanical malfunctions.
Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
Stop machines when specified amounts of product have been produced.
Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
Confer with co-workers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Monitoring
Active Listening
Operation and Control
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Quality Control Analysis
Reading Comprehension
Time Management
Complex Problem Solving
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (94.68% 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

36,390–45,220 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-6063.

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) (94.68% 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

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.

Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders