There are currently an estimated 87,700 machine feeders in the United States. The machine feeder job market is expected to grow by 1.7% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are machine feeders?

CareerExplorer rates machine feeders with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 9,500 machine feeders. That number is based on 1,500 additional machine feeders, and the retirement of 8,000 existing machine feeders.

Are machine feeders in demand?

Opportunities for machine feeders are projected to decline for the foreseeable future. These workers are heavily employed in declining manufacturing industries in which automation is further decreasing demand for them. In addition, to increase overall productivity, machine operators are more and more also doing the tasks typically assigned to machine feeders.

What’s the supply of machine feeders?

The machine feeder industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Indiana

Machine Feeder job market by state

State Name Employed Machine Feeders
California 7,610
Texas 5,290
Indiana 5,020
Pennsylvania 3,870
Ohio 3,500
Oregon 3,220
Georgia 3,110
Kentucky 3,090
New Jersey 2,900
North Carolina 2,610
Wisconsin 2,320
Arkansas 2,200
Illinois 2,150
Massachusetts 2,030
South Carolina 1,860
New York 1,840
Washington 1,840
Alabama 1,680
Tennessee 1,680
Minnesota 1,470
Missouri 1,380
Mississippi 1,120
Iowa 980
Kansas 970
Florida 930
Michigan 930
Nebraska 810
Maryland 730
Oklahoma 620
Louisiana 600
Connecticut 440
Arizona 440
Idaho 390
New Hampshire 380
Utah 380
Maine 300
South Dakota 280
North Dakota 250
Rhode Island 190
West Virginia 180
Nevada 150
Hawaii 150
Delaware 130
Montana 100
Puerto Rico 100
Alaska 50
Vermont 40