Food Processing Workers

How to become a Food Batchmaker

Official title: Food Batchmakers

Also called: Batching Operator, Blender, Brewing Technician, Compounder, Dosier Operator, Dough Scaler, Mix Technician, Mixer, Mixer Operator, Syrup Maker

Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.

Main tasks

Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas.
Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or an agitator, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients.
Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color.
Give directions to other workers who are assisting in the batchmaking process.
Select and measure or weigh ingredients, using English or metric measures and balance scales.
Press switches and turn knobs to start, adjust, and regulate equipment, such as beaters, extruders, discharge pipes, and salt pumps.

How to become one

Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Cheesemaker.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $42,290 a year The middle half earn $36,350 to $49,670.
About 176,800 people work in this job now, and about 188,200 are projected by 2035. (+6.5%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Food Batchmaker?

Education requirements vary for food processing equipment workers. Some typically need no formal education credential; however, others typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.

How much does a Food Batchmaker earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $42,290 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $36,350 to $49,670.

Is a Food Batchmaker a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 176,800 to about 188,200 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Food Batchmaker?

Usually not. Only 12% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Cheesemaker.

Will AI change the work of a Food Batchmaker?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.