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Machine Operators and Related Workers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing
What they do?
Process control and machine operators use single- or multi-function machines to process and package food/beverage products.
A. Industrial butchers slaughter livestock as well as skin, clean, and trim carcasses into smaller portions. They may slaughter livestock according to religious laws.
B. Industrial meat cutters cut carcasses for further cutting or processing, and cut meat and poultry into specific cuts for wholesale use.
C. Fish plant machine operators set up and run the machinery to process/package fish products.
D. Fish plant cutters and cleaners cut, trim, and clean fish by hand.
E. Tobacco processing machine operators prepare and treat tobacco leaves, and produce tobacco products.
F. Testers and graders test and grade ingredients and finished food, beverage, and tobacco products.
Where they find work?
1. Food manufacturing - 80.0%
2. Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing - 9.0%
3. Wholesale trade - 3.0%
4. Farms - 2.0%
5. Retail trade - 2.0%
What education do I need?
1. You may need some high school or a high school diploma.
2. You may also need experience in your particular industry or occupation.
3. You usually receive on-the-job training.
4. To be an industrial meat cutter, you must complete an industrial meat-cutting program or have experience as an industrial butcher or trimmer.
5. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma.
High School Subject that will help:
1. English
2. Sciences
3. Machine Shop
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Machine Operators and Related Workers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing is $14.13/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the processing, manufacturing and utilities sector and are close to the average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
8% of Machine Operators and Related Workers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for intermediate occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Machine Operators and Related Workers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($14.13) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of the wage growth is close to the average.
3. The unemployment rate (8%) is above the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be above average.
2. Although the retirement rate will likely be below average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Machine Operators and Related Workers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing are found in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (51%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Machinery
2. Attention to details
3. Mental measurements/calculations
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
6% of Machine Operators and Related Workers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 90,100 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 50% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be below average because of a tendency to retire at an older-than-average age (64).
