Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.
SOC: 51-3091.00
Common Job Titles
Coffee Roaster
Machine Operator
Roaster
Roasterman
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
Hands-onOperate roasting, baking, and drying equipment including hearth ovens, kiln driers, and vacuum drying systems in food and tobacco production facilities, following established processing parameters.
Proficient
KnowledgeAnalyze equipment gauges, sensors, and monitoring data to assess processing conditions during continuous production operations, using temperature, pressure, and moisture readings.
Proficient
KnowledgeEvaluate product quality and processing standards compliance through visual inspection and instrument readings, adjusting equipment parameters as needed.
Proficient
Hands-onHandle raw materials and finished products using conveyors, carts, and material handling equipment during loading, processing, and unloading operations.
Proficient
Hands-onCalibrate temperature controls, humidity sensors, and automatic hopper scales to maintain precise processing specifications and product consistency.
Developing
KnowledgeApply food production and safety protocols when operating roasting and drying machinery, adhering to regulatory requirements.
Developing
KnowledgeInterpret production schedules, batch specifications, and written processing instructions to coordinate workflow and prioritize multiple roasting or drying cycles.
Developing
Hands-onPerform routine equipment maintenance and cleaning tasks following safety procedures to prevent contamination and ensure operational readiness.
Developing
KnowledgeDiagnose equipment malfunctions and processing irregularities by monitoring machine performance and identifying deviations from normal operating conditions.
Developing
MindsetEngage with supervisors and production team members to communicate processing status, quality issues, and coordination needs.
Developing
KnowledgeDocument batch records, equipment readings, and production data using paper logs and Microsoft Excel to maintain traceability and quality records.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
19,500
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $32,390. 25th percentile: U.S. $36,610. 50th percentile: U.S. $42,730. 75th percentile: U.S. $48,680. 90th percentile: U.S. $60,070. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$32,390
10% of workers earn the following or more
$60,070
Workers on average earn
$44,140
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Production and Processing3.6/5
English Language3.3/5
Public Safety and Security3.0/5
Food Production3.0/5
Mathematics2.3/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
