How much does a mixing operator make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical mixing operator in the United States makes $48,990 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They read a work order, weigh ingredients, and load a mixer, then run it for the set time. They watch the machine, check a sample, move the finished mixture by pump or conveyor, and log the batch.
Did you know? Some mixing operators blend explosive ingredients—not just spices, juices, or color pigments.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,790 and $70,200How do you become one?
Most U.S. new hires have a high school diploma or GED. Employers provide on-the-job training that can last from a few days to a year; a registered apprenticeship is one route in paint-and-varnish tinting.
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 U.S., pay can change with experience, skills or certificates, the type of employer, and location. More complex mixing jobs or extra responsibility may pay more; different products can call for different skills.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Minnesota ($59,270), lowest in Michigan ($44,310).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,790 | $48,990 | $70,200 | about 95,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $59,270 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $57,810 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $53,800 | about 2,000 |
| Illinois | $53,560 | about 10,000 |
| Maryland | $53,480 | about 770 |
Official definition: Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients. Excludes “Food Batchmakers” (51-3092).
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/51-9023.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-9023.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes519023.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY