Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Production Occupations
O*NET-SOC code
51-9023.00

Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.

  • Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08

    Low· relative

    LowFour relative bandsVery high

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)

    831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band

    Source dataset (XLSX download)

  • Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03

    0.000

    0.000Range of values carried here0.745
    Scale, basis and source

    Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Mapped onto O*NET tasks

    Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value

    Source dataset (CSV download)

  • Data source: ILOPublished: 2025

    0.17–0.23· 2 ISCO-08 groups

    Scale, basis and source

    Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published

    Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

ILO value for each linked ISCO-08 group
  • ISCO-08 8114Cement, Stone and Other Mineral Products Machine Operators0.23
  • ISCO-08 8181Glass and Ceramics Plant Operators0.17

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

19 rated tasks · 2 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (10.5%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

  • Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
  • All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
Source
OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release
gh-main-0471612
License
MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Task (O*NET 20.1)Claude.aiRaw / share %
Record operational or production data on specified forms.

51-9023.00

0.0059100.0
Not observed on any surface — 18 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states.
Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.
—0
Test samples of materials or products to ensure compliance with specifications, using test equipment.
—0
Operate or tend machines to mix or blend any of a wide variety of materials, such as spices, dough batter, tobacco, fruit juices, chemicals, livestock feed, food products, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
—0
Dump or pour specified amounts of materials into machinery or equipment.
—0
Observe production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
—0
Stop mixing or blending machines when specified product qualities are obtained and open valves and start pumps to transfer mixtures.
—0
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.
—0
Add or mix chemicals or ingredients for processing, using hand tools or other devices.
—0
Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards.
—0
Transfer materials, supplies, or products between work areas, using moving equipment or hand tools.
—0
Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps or conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.
—0
Read work orders to determine production specifications or information.
—0
Compound or process ingredients or dyes, according to formulas.
—0
Unload mixtures into containers or onto conveyors for further processing.
—0
Clean and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
—0
Mix or blend ingredients by starting machines and mixing for specified times.
—0
Dislodge and clear jammed materials or other items from machinery or equipment, using hand tools.
—0
Open valves to drain slurry from mixers into storage tanks.
—0

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (20)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)Type
Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.Core
Operate or tend machines to mix or blend any of a wide variety of materials, such as spices, dough batter, tobacco, fruit juices, chemicals, livestock feed, food products, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.Core
Dump or pour specified amounts of materials into machinery or equipment.Core
Observe production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.Core
Stop mixing or blending machines when specified product qualities are obtained and open valves and start pumps to transfer mixtures.Core
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.Core
Add or mix chemicals or ingredients for processing, using hand tools or other devices.Core
Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards.Core
Record operational or production data on specified forms.Core
Transfer materials, supplies, or products between work areas, using moving equipment or hand tools.Core
Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps or conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.Core
Read work orders to determine production specifications or information.Core
Compound or process ingredients or dyes, according to formulas.Core
Unload mixtures into containers or onto conveyors for further processing.Core
Clean and maintain equipment, using hand tools.Core
Dislodge and clear jammed materials or other items from machinery or equipment, using hand tools.Core
Mix or blend ingredients by starting machines and mixing for specified times.Core
Clean work areas.Core
Test samples of materials or products to ensure compliance with specifications, using test equipment.Supplemental
Open valves to drain slurry from mixers into storage tanks.Supplemental

Occupation information

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025
97K
Projected employment, 2035
91K
Change (2025–35)
-6.1%
Median annual wage, 2025
$48,990
Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO codeKSCO titleRelationStatus
82122염색 조색 및 배합기 조작원This occupation is broaderconfirmed
83213세제 생산기 조작원This occupation is broaderconfirmed
84392광택제 생산기 조작원This occupation is broaderconfirmed
83121화학물 분쇄기·마쇄기 및 혼합기 조작원Overlapping, not the sameconfirmed
83211약제품 생산기 조작원Overlapping, not the sameconfirmed
83212화장품 생산기 조작원Overlapping, not the sameconfirmed
84391유약 생산기 조작원Overlapping, not the sameconfirmed
84319그 외 유리 제조 및 가공기 조작원Related, not a matchconfirmed
84399그 외 비금속제품 관련 생산기 조작원Related, not a matchconfirmed
86311일차전지 제조 기계 조작원Related, not a matchconfirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

  • ISCO-08 8114Cement, Stone and Other Mineral Products Machine Operators
  • ISCO-08 8181Glass and Ceramics Plant Operators

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

  • blender operatorESCO 8160.5This occupation is broader

    Blender operators produce non-alcoholic flavoured waters by managing the administration of a large selection of ingredients to water. They handle and administer ingredients such as sugar, fruits juices, vegetable juices, syrups based on fruit or herbs, natural flavours, synthetic food additives like artificial sweeteners, colours, preservatives, acidity regulators, vitamins, minerals, and carbon dioxide. They manage the quantities depending on the product.

  • blending plant operatorESCO 8160.6This occupation is broader

    Blending plant operators control equipment to weigh and mix vegetable oils used in products such as salad oil and margarines. They tend pump oils to perform the blending according to specific formulas. They draw off samples of mixed oil to examine its texture and colour and based on that make adjustments to blending processes.

  • carbonation operatorESCO 8160.12This occupation is broader

    Carbonation operators perform the injection of carbonation into beverages.

  • chemical mixerESCO 8131.2This occupation is broader

    Chemical mixers operate and maintain mixing tanks and blenders in order to develop chemical products out of raw materials, making sure the end products are in conformance to the batch tickets specifications.

  • colour sampling operatorESCO 8155.1.1This occupation is broader

    Colour sampling operators apply colours and finish mixes according to the defined recipes. They apply pigments, dyes or other finishing mixes.

  • extract mixer testerESCO 8160.29This occupation is broader

    Extract mixer testers sift spices using mechanical sifters. They operate mixing machines to blend spices and weigh them until a specified consistency is reached. They compare colours of mixtures with the standard colour chart to ensure that colours of the mixture meet the specifications.

  • fertiliser mixerESCO 8131.2.1This occupation is broader

    Fertiliser mixers operate and maintain machines that mix chemical ingredients in order to produce fertilisers, making sure the end product is according to specifications.

  • kettle tenderESCO 8160.40This occupation is broader

    Kettle tenders operate machines that mix chewing gum base with sugar or sweetener. They follow procedures to place gum base in containers and then direct it to flow into mixers.

  • lacquer makerESCO 8131.2.2This occupation is broader

    Lacquer makers operate and maintain laquers and syntetic paints mixers and jar mills, making sure the end product is according to formula.

  • nitroglycerin neutraliserESCO 8131.13This occupation is broader

    Nitroglycerin neutralisers maintain explosives mixing tanks by neutralizing the process remaining acids.

  • paint mixerESCO 8131.2.3This occupation is broader

    Paint mixers operate and maintain machines that mix lacquers, solvents and paints in order to produce paint, making sure the end product is according to the specified formula.

  • perfume production machine operatorESCO 8131.16This occupation is broader

    Perfume production machine operators tend machinery for the manufacturing of perfumes by setting up the machines and tools, cleaning and maintaining the equipment and abiding by the production schedule.

+3 more

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME codeROME title (French)Relation
H2804Pilote de centrale de bétonThis occupation is broader
H3309Préparateur / Préparatrice de mélange en industrieThis occupation is broaderprovisional
H3303Cuisinier / Cuisinière en industrie chimiqueOverlapping, not the sameprovisional
H2810Agent / Agente technique de centrale à enrobésRelated, not a match
H1201Coloriste en industrieRelated, not a matchprovisional
H2105Agent / Agente de production en industrie alimentaireRelated, not a matchprovisional
H2303Opérateur / Opératrice de fabrication en industrie pharmaceutiqueRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 codeCNO-11 title (Spanish)Relation
8131Operadores en plantas industriales químicasRelated, not a match
8132Operadores de máquinas para fabricar productos farmacéuticos, cosméticos y afinesRelated, not a match
8160Operadores de máquinas para elaborar productos alimenticios, bebidas y tabacoRelated, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB codeKldB title (German)Relation
21222Berufe in der Baustoffherstellung - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
22102Berufe in der Kunststoff- und Kautschukherstellung (ohne Spezialisierung) - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
29272Berufe in der Tabakwarenherstellung - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
41312Berufe in der Chemie- und Pharmatechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO codeJSCO title (Japanese)Relation
531化学製品製造従事者Related, not a match
533食料品製造従事者Related, not a match
538ゴム・プラスチック製品製造従事者Related, not a match

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources