How much does a machine feeder make?
a year · about $20 an hour
A typical machine feeder in the United States makes $41,220 a year, about $20 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Feeders load material onto a conveyor or into a machine, then take finished items off the line. They check products for flaws, record how much was processed, and clean the equipment or work area.
Did you know? O*NET reports that 94% of surveyed workers wear protective gear every day, such as safety glasses, gloves, or hearing protection.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $32,220 and $58,160How do you become one?
A high school diploma or GED is common; new hires learn on the job, with training lasting days to a year. There is no single starting age: federal rules bar under-18s from certain hazardous machines, and state rules may be stricter.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and skill, the employer’s industry, and where the job is located. A factory or warehouse job, more complex tasks, or extra responsibility can also make a difference.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Wisconsin ($55,120), lowest in Florida ($35,110).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,220 | $41,220 | $58,160 | about 42,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $55,120 | about 570 |
| Colorado | $48,400 | about 650 |
| Missouri | $46,580 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $45,600 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $45,580 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-7063.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes537063.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/youthrules/YouthRulesBrochure.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY