Also called: Fiber Spinning Operator, Extruder Operator (Fibers)
Runs machines that melt plastic pellets and squeeze them through tiny holes to make nylon, polyester and carbon-fiber threads.
Molten polymer pours through a plate with hundreds of tiny holes, making glistening threads that cool, stretch and wind onto spools. You restring broken lines, swap spools and check fiber strength. Your fibers become carpets, seat belts and sportswear.
BLS extruding and forming machine operators, synthetic fibers.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Shrinking (about -4% over 10 years). Small, slowly shrinking occupation.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Fiber lines are continuous and heavily automated; operators mostly monitor and fix problems.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at fiber and yarn plants or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Chemistry, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-6091.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.