Food and tobacco processing workers held about 268,700 jobs in 2018. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up food and tobacco processing workers was distributed as follows:
| Food batchmakers | 163,800 |
| Food processing workers, all other | 48,900 |
| Food cooking machine operators and tenders | 35,100 |
| Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders | 21,000 |
The largest employers of food and tobacco processing workers were as follows:
| Food manufacturing | 73% |
| Employment services | 5 |
| Food and beverage stores | 4 |
Food manufacturing facilities are typically large, open floor areas with loud machinery, requiring workers to wear ear protection to guard against noise. Workers are frequently exposed to high temperatures when working around cooking machinery. Some work in cold environments for long periods with goods that need to be refrigerated or frozen.
Depending on the type of food or tobacco being processed, workers may be required to wear masks, hair nets, or gloves to protect the product from possible contamination.
Workers usually stand for the majority of their shifts while tending machines or observing the production process. Loading, unloading, or cleaning equipment may require lifting, bending, and reaching.
Injuries and Illnesses
Working around hot liquids or machinery that cuts or presses can be dangerous. The most common hazards are slips, falls, and cuts. To reduce the risks of injuries, workers are required to wear protective clothing and nonslip shoes.
"Food processing workers, all other" have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. ("All other" titles represent occupations with a wide range of characteristics that do not fit into any of the other detailed occupations.)
Work Schedules
Most food and tobacco processing workers work full time. Because of production schedules, working early morning, evening, or night shifts is common in many manufacturing facilities.
Some food processing positions are seasonal.
There are no formal education requirements for some food and tobacco processing workers. However, food batchmakers and food cooking machine operators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Food and tobacco processing workers learn their skills through on-the-job training.
Education
Food batchmakers and food cooking machine operators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Because workers often adjust the quantity of ingredients that go into a mix, math and reading skills are considered helpful.
Training
Food and tobacco processing workers learn on the job. Training may last from a few weeks to a few months. During training, workers learn health and safety rules related to the type of food or tobacco that they process. Training also involves learning how to operate specific equipment, following safety procedures, and reporting equipment malfunctions.
Experienced workers typically teach trainees how to properly use and care for equipment.
Food and tobacco processing workers typically have an interest in the Building and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a food and tobacco processing worker, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Food and tobacco processing workers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Concentration. Workers must pay close attention to what they are doing to avoid injury.
Coordination. Food and tobacco processing workers must be quick and have good hand-eye coordination to keep up with the assembly line.
Detail oriented. Workers must be able to detect small changes in quality or quantity of food products. They must also closely follow health and safety standards to avoid any food contamination.
Physical stamina. Workers stand on their feet for long periods as they tend machines and monitor the production process.
Physical strength. Food and tobacco processing workers should be strong enough to lift or move heavy boxes of fruit or vegetables, which often can weigh up to 50 pounds.
The median annual wage for food and tobacco processing workers was $30,200 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,660, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $47,500.
Median annual wages for food and tobacco processing workers in May 2019 were as follows:
| Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders | $31,590 |
| Food cooking machine operators and tenders | 31,110 |
| Food batchmakers | 30,790 |
| Food processing workers, all other | 27,550 |
In May 2019, the median annual wages for food and tobacco processing workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Food manufacturing | $30,990 |
| Food and beverage stores | 27,180 |
| Employment services | 26,670 |
Most food and tobacco processing workers work full time. Because of production schedules, working early morning, evening, or night shifts is common in many manufacturing facilities.
Some food processing positions are seasonal.
Overall employment of food and tobacco processing workers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2018 to 2028, slower than the average for all occupations.
Population growth and continuing consumer preference for convenience foods are expected to drive the demand for food, which will in turn require more food and tobacco processing workers to produce it. However, food manufacturing companies continue to pursue more automation in processing to raise productivity. For example, they use equipment that automatically weighs and mixes ingredients, requiring fewer processing workers. As these companies streamline production processes and implement more automation, they will need fewer workers to operate machines, and this may constrain occupational growth.
Job Prospects
The need to replace food and tobacco processing workers who leave the occupation should result in additional job openings each year. Those with related work experience in manufacturing will likely have the best job opportunities.
For more information about line workers and food safety, visit
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
For more information about the food industry, visit
Grocery Manufacturers Association