Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.

Also called: Batchmaker, Blender, Blending Technician (Blending Tech), Ink Blender, Issuing Operator, Machine Operator, Mixer, Mixer Operator, Operator, Stock Preparation Operator (Stock Prep Operator), Abrasive Mixer, Acetylene Cylinder Packing Mixer, Acid Adjuster, Acid Blower, Acid Mixer, Ammonia Worker, Asphalt Blender, Asphalt Mixer, Asphalt Mixing Machine Operator, Auger Mill Operator, Automatic Brine Mixer Operator, Banbury Machine Operator, Banbury Mill Operator, Banbury Mixer Operator, Banbury Operator, Barratte Operator, Batch Attendant, Batch Blender, Batch Maker, Batch Mixer, Batch Room Technician (Batch Room Tech), Batcher, Bath Mixer, Batter Mixer, Binder Technician (Binder Tech), Bleach Liquor Maker, Bleach Maker, Bleach Mixer, Blender Conveyor Operator, Blender Machine Operator, Blender Operator, Blending Line Attendant, Blending Machine Operator, Blending Operator, Blending Plant Operator, Blending Tank Tender, Blow Up Operator, Blunger, Board Mixer Tender, Boss Dyer, Bran Mixer, Breading Machine Tender, Brine Maker, Brine Mixer Operator, Broth Mixer, Bulk Plant Operator, Bulk Station Operator, Bullet Lubricant Mixer, Candy Puller, Carbide Powder Processor, Carbon Paste Mixer Operator, Carbonation Equipment Tender, Casing Fluid Tender, Catalyst Concentration Operator, Caustic Mixer, Cellophane Bath Mixer, Cement Mixer, Chemical Blender, Chemical Compounder, Chemical Mixer, Chemical Preparer (Chem Prep), Chili Powder Mixer, Chip Mixing Machine Operator, Churn Tender, Churner, Cistern Room Operator, Clay Maker, Clay Miller, Clay Mixer, Clay Puddler, Clay Stain Mixer, Clay Worker, Coagulating Bath Mixer, Coating Mixer, Coating Mixer Tender, Cocoa Powder Mixer Operator, Color Developer, Color Drum Worker, Color Maker, Color Mixer, Color Paste Mixer, Composition Mixer, Composition Worker, Compound Finisher, Compound Mixer, Compound Specialist, Compounder, Conche Operator, Concrete Batcher, Concrete Mixer, Concrete Mixer Operator, Continuous Churn Buttermaker, Cosmetic Maker, Cream Maker, Crusher and Blender Operator, Crutcher, Devil Tender, Dextrine Mixer, Diamond Blender, Diamond Powder Mixer, Dip Dyer, Dope Mixer, Dough Brake Machine Operator, Dough Mixer, Dough Mixer Operator, Dross Puller, Dry Color Mixer, Dry Food Products Mixer, Dry Mixer, Dry Primer Powder Blender, Dry Starch Operator, Dust Mixer, Dustless Operator, Dye Maker, Dye Mixer, Dye Weigher, Emulsion Operator, Extract Mixer, Feather Mixer, Feed Blender, Feed Mixer, Fertilizer Mixer, Flour Blender, Flour Mixer, Fluorescent Solution Mixer, Flux Mixer, Foam Rubber Curer, Foam Rubber Mixer, Foamite Mixer, Formula Weigher, Formulator, Frit Burner, Frit Mixer, Frit Mixer and Burner, Frothing Machine Operator, Gasoline Catalyst Operator, Gasoline Finisher, Glaze Maker, Glaze Mixer, Glue Mixer, Grain Mixer, Granulator, Granulator Machine Operator, Grease Maker, Green Coffee Blender, Ground Mixer, Gum Mixer, Gum Rolling Machine Operator, Gunite Mixer, Gunite Nozzle Operator, Hair Mixer, Hot Mix Operator, Icing Mixer, Ink Maker, Ink Mixer, Insecticide Maker, Insecticide Mixer, Lacquer Maker, Lime Mixer, Lime Mixer Tender, Lime Plant Operator, Lime Slaker, Lime Sludge Mixer, Liquid Sugar Fortifier, Liquid Sugar Melter, Lozenge Dough Mixer, Machine Paint Mixer, Machine Plaster Mixer, Machine Sand Mixer, Make Up Operator, Margarine Churn Operator, Marinator, Mash Grinder, Material Mixer, Meat Blender, Metal Mixer, Mill Feeder, Mincemeat Maker, Mingler Operator, Mix House Tender, Mixer and Blender, Mixer Lever Operator, Mixer Runner, Mixer Tender, Mixing House Operator, Mixing Machine Feeder, Mixing Machine Operator, Mixing Machine Tender, Mixing Operator, Mixing Plant Operator, Mixing Roll Operator, Mixing Tank Operator, Mixing Tumbler Operator, Mortar Mixer, Mortar Mixer Operator, Mottler Operator, Mud Cleaner Operator, Mud Mill Tender, Mud Mixer, Mud Mixer Operator, Mud Plant Operator, Mulling Machine Operator, Nitrate Operator, Nitrating Acid Mixer, Oil Mixer, Operator Specialist, Ore Mixer, Paint Maker, Paint Mixer, Paint Tinter, Paper Colorer, Paste Maker, Paste Mixer, Peanut Butter Maker, Pearl Glue Operator, Perfume Compounder, Perfume Maker, Pigment Mixer, Plaster Mixer, Plastic Mixer, Plasticator, Polish Compounder, Polish Maker, Porcelain Mixer, Powder Blender, Powder Blender and Pourer, Powder Mixer, Powder Worker, Process Tank Tender, Production Operator, Pug Machine Operator, Pug Mill Operator, Pugger, Pulp Grinder and Blender, Pulp Mixer, Pulp Refiner Operator, Pulper, Pulverizing and Sifting Operator, Putty Maker, Putty Mixer, Reagent Tender, Reducer, Refined Syrup Operator, Refractory Mixer, Relish Blender, Resin Mixer, Resin Technician (Resin Tech), Restrictive Preparation Operator (Restrictive Prep Operator), Roof Cement and Paint Maker, Rouge Mixer, Rubber Compounder Mixer, Rubber Mill Tender, Rubber Mixer, Sand Conditioner, Sand Control Worker, Sand Mill Operator, Sand Miller, Sand Operator, Sand Sifter, Sausage Maker, Sausage Mixer, Scratcher Tender, Screener and Blender, Seal Mixer, Seasoning Mixer, Silica Spray Mixer, Silver Solution Mixer, Sinter Machine Operator, Size Maker, Size Mixer, Slaker, Slate Mixer, Slime Plant Operator, Slip Maker, Slip Mixer, Slurry Control Tender, Slurry Mixer, Snack Foods Mixer Operator, Snuff Blender, Soap Maker, Soda Room Operator, Solution Maker, Solution Mixer, Solutions Operator, Solvent Mixer, Spice Mixer, Spray Mixer, Stain Maker, Sweeping Compound Blender, Syrup Maker, Syrup Mixer, Tank Room Worker, Tank Worker, Tanning Solution Maker, Tetryl Dissolver Operator, Textile Colorist Dyer, Thinner, Tobacco Blender, Tracer Powder Blender, Tumbler Operator, Tumbler Tender, Unleavened Dough Mixer, Varnish Mixer, Varnish Thinner, Varnish Tinter, Vinegar Maker, Wax Blender, Weigher and Mixer, Weigher Bulker, Wet End Operator, Wet Mixer, Wet Pour Mixer, Wet Primer Powder Blender, Wheel Mill Operator, Whipped Topping Mixer, Wine Fermenter

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

What the worker does

Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.
Read work orders to determine production specifications or information.
Observe production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Mix or blend ingredients by starting machines and mixing for specified times.
Stop mixing or blending machines when specified product qualities are obtained and open valves and start pumps to transfer mixtures.
Compound or process ingredients or dyes, according to formulas.
Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards.
Operate or tend machines to mix or blend any of a wide variety of materials, such as spices, dough batter, tobacco, fruit juices, chemicals, livestock feed, food products, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
Dump or pour specified amounts of materials into machinery or equipment.
Record operational or production data on specified forms.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Quality Control Analysis
Time Management
Speaking
Coordination

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (80.32% 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

42,850–59,860 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9023.

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) (80.32% 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.

Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders