Career Explorer Production
Human edge, steady
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 42% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by -10.3% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $38,670
- Job growth to 2035
- -10.3%
- Openings a year
- 2,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 23,500
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Test performance of equipment or systems
- Set up equipment
- Communicate with others about operational plans or activities
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Operate cutting or grinding equipment
- Position workpieces or materials on equipment
- Monitor equipment operation
What the work looks like
- Observe bobbins as they are winding and cut threads to remove loaded bobbins, using knives.
- Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
- Thread yarn, thread, or fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines.
- Unwind lengths of yarn, thread, or twine from spools and wind onto bobbins.
- Start machines, monitor operation, and make adjustments as needed.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, woodHuman edge, steady, Index 57, -1.0%
- Slaughterers and meat packersHuman edge, steady, Index 71, +2.0%
- Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawingHuman edge, steady, Index 44, -2.5%
- Pourers and casters, metalHuman edge, steady, Index 48, -5.0%
Also known as: Spinner, Twister Operator, Winder Operator, Winder Tender, Back Winder, Cable Operator, Computer Integrated Manufacturing Operator (CIM Operator), Drawing Operator.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.