Workers in this category perform specialized tasks unique to their specific food processing environments, such as operating pasta press machinery to create various pasta shapes or positioning poultry on processing lines for further handling. An olive pitter removes pits from olives using specialized equipment, ensuring product quality and maintaining production quotas. Yeast makers monitor fermentation processes, adjusting conditions to produce consistent yeast products for commercial use. Daily responsibilities include equipment setup, quality control checks, and maintaining sanitary conditions according to food safety regulations.
Individuals who succeed in these roles demonstrate strong attention to detail and can maintain focus during repetitive tasks while ensuring quality standards. They possess good hand-eye coordination and physical stamina for standing, lifting, and operating machinery throughout their shifts. Workers thrive when they have a practical orientation toward problem-solving and can follow detailed procedures consistently. Those comfortable in structured environments with clear protocols and safety requirements tend to perform well in food processing settings.
Automation risk varies by specific role, with some specialized tasks like olive pitting potentially subject to mechanization while others requiring human dexterity and judgment remaining stable. The diverse nature of roles under this classification means automation impact will be uneven across different food processing applications.
Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
| TERM | COUNT | FREQ | BAR | SOURCE ATTRIBUTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| food | 25 | 0.0527 | inference 64% wikipedia 36% | |
| processing | 13 | 0.0274 | inference 62% wikipedia 38% | |
| hormel | 8 | 0.0169 | wikipedia 100% | |
| manufacturing | 6 | 0.0127 | inference 83% wikipedia 17% | |
| equipment | 6 | 0.0127 | inference 83% wikipedia 17% | |
| specialized | 6 | 0.0127 | inference 100% | |
| smithfield | 5 | 0.0105 | wikipedia 100% | |
| foods | 5 | 0.0105 | wikipedia 100% | |
| united | 4 | 0.0084 | wikipedia 75% inference 25% | |
| union | 4 | 0.0084 | wikipedia 75% inference 25% | |
| facilities | 4 | 0.0084 | inference 75% wikipedia 25% | |
| production | 4 | 0.0084 | inference 75% wikipedia 25% | |
| products | 4 | 0.0084 | wikipedia 75% inference 25% | |
| operating | 4 | 0.0084 | inference 100% | |
| quality | 4 | 0.0084 | inference 100% | |
| safety | 4 | 0.0084 | inference 100% | |
| commercial | 3 | 0.0063 | inference 67% wikipedia 33% | |
| ufcw | 3 | 0.0063 | wikipedia 100% | |
| pork | 3 | 0.0063 | wikipedia 100% | |
| industrial | 3 | 0.0063 | wikipedia 100% | |
| engineering | 3 | 0.0063 | wikipedia 100% | |
| pasta | 3 | 0.0063 | inference 100% | |
| environments | 3 | 0.0063 | inference 100% | |
| wage | 3 | 0.0063 | inference 100% | |
| representing | 2 | 0.0042 | wikipedia 50% inference 50% | |
| approximately | 2 | 0.0042 | wikipedia 50% inference 50% | |
| retail | 2 | 0.0042 | wikipedia 50% inference 50% | |
| affiliated | 2 | 0.0042 | wikipedia 100% | |
| afl | 2 | 0.0042 | wikipedia 100% | |
| cio | 2 | 0.0042 | wikipedia 100% |
Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 51-3099.00 · Food Processing Workers, All Other 7 source blocks · click to expand
--- NATIONAL WAGES --- total_employment : 65,000 annual_median : $39,680 annual_pct10 : $32,210 annual_pct25 : $36,410 annual_pct75 : $44,130 annual_pct90 : $47,950 annual_mean : $40,300 hourly_median : $19.08 --- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION --- highest_state : Colorado ($46,930) lowest_state : Nevada ($30,120) dispersion_ratio : 1.558x --- TOP STATES BY WAGE (46 total) --- Manufacturing emp: 48,020 median: $ 40,310 Retail Trade emp: 11,070 median: $ 39,270 Wholesale Trade emp: 3,140 median: $ 34,670 Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp: 1,430 median: $ 35,740 Transportation and Warehousing emp: 420 median: $ 49,040 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting emp: 360 median: $ 30,780 --- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (6 total) --- Manufacturing emp: 48,020 median: $ 40,310 Retail Trade emp: 11,070 median: $ 39,270 Wholesale Trade emp: 3,140 median: $ 34,670 Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services emp: 1,430 median: $ 35,740 Transportation and Warehousing emp: 420 median: $ 49,040 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting emp: 360 median: $ 30,780
exact_match_status : no_exact_match matched_title : N/A match_score : 0.0000 wikidata_qid : N/A word_count : 0 wikipedia_url : N/A license : CC BY-SA 4.0 fetched_at : 2026-06-02T23:06:48.387095Z --- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) --- Title: United Food and Commercial Workers (similarity: 0.4706) URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Food_and_Commercial_Workers QID: Q3538166 Extract: The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is a labor union representing approximately 1.2 million workers in the United States and Canada in industries including retail; meatpacking, food processing and manufacturing; hospitality; agriculture; cannabis; chemical trades; secur Title: Smithfield Foods (similarity: 0.2000) URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithfield_Foods QID: Q1477575 Extract: Smithfield Foods, Inc., is a Hong Kong-owned pork producer and food-processing company based in Smithfield, Virginia. Founded in 1936 as the Smithfield Packing Company by Joseph W. Luter and his son, the company is the largest pig and pork producer in the world. In addition to owning over 500 farms Title: List of industrial disasters (similarity: 0.2581) URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_industrial_disasters QID: Q627843 Extract: This article lists notable industrial disasters, which are disasters caused by industrial companies, either by accident, negligence or incompetence. They are a form of industrial accident where great damage, injury or loss of life is caused. Title: Food and biological process engineering (similarity: 0.4110) URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_biological_process_engineering QID: Q55647809 Extract: Food and biological process engineering is a discipline concerned with applying principles of engineering to the fields of food production and distribution and biology. It is a broad field, with workers fulfilling a variety of roles ranging from design of food processing equipment to genetic modific Title: Hormel Foods (similarity: 0.2174) URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormel_Foods QID: Q1454852 Extract: Hormel Foods Corporation, doing business as Hormel Foods or simply Hormel, is an American multinational food processing company founded in 1891 in Austin, Minnesota, by George A. Hormel as George A. Hormel & Company. The company originally focused on the packaging and selling of ham, sausage and oth
model_pass1 : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2 : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : medium
confidence_notes : Limited detailed occupational data due to catch-all nature of classification, but wage and industry data provide solid foundation for market intelligence analysis.
inferred_at : 2026-06-04T01:17:03.718846+00:00
tokens_input : 2,157
tokens_output : 3,156
cost_usd : $0.031958
wikipedia_used : False
wikipedia_title : None
wikipedia_note : No exact Wikipedia match found; semantic neighbors focus on labor unions and food companies rather than specific occupational roles. The United Food and Commercial Workers union context suggests this workforce may be represented by organized labor in some settings.
--- PROSE FIELDS ---
ROLE SUMMARY:
Food Processing Workers, All Other encompass specialized roles in food manufacturing not covered by other occupational classifications, operating equipment and performing tasks specific to various food production processes. These workers handle diverse responsibilities from operating pasta presses to hanging poultry in processing facilities. They represent essential but niche roles within the broader food manufacturing ecosystem.
DAY IN THE LIFE:
Workers in this category perform specialized tasks unique to their specific food processing environments, such as operating pasta press machinery to create various pasta shapes or positioning poultry on processing lines for further handling. An olive pitter removes pits from olives using specialized equipment, ensuring product quality and maintaining production quotas. Yeast makers monitor fermentation processes, adjusting conditions to produce consistent yeast products for commercial use. Daily responsibilities include equipment setup, quality control checks, and maintaining sanitary conditions according to food safety regulations.
WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who succeed in these roles demonstrate strong attention to detail and can maintain focus during repetitive tasks while ensuring quality standards. They possess good hand-eye coordination and physical stamina for standing, lifting, and operating machinery throughout their shifts. Workers thrive when they have a practical orientation toward problem-solving and can follow detailed procedures consistently. Those comfortable in structured environments with clear protocols and safety requirements tend to perform well in food processing settings.
CAREER ENTRY:
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training provided for specific equipment and processes. Employers typically provide safety training and food handling certifications as part of initial employment. Some roles may benefit from prior experience in manufacturing or food service environments.
CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Workers can advance to lead operator positions, quality control roles, or supervisory positions within food processing facilities. Career progression often involves cross-training on multiple pieces of equipment and developing expertise in food safety protocols. Some may transition to maintenance roles or pursue specialized certifications in food processing technology.
MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
The occupation employs approximately 65,000 workers nationwide with a median annual wage of $39,680 according to BLS OEWS May 2025. Geographic wage variation is moderate, with Colorado offering the highest median wage at $46,930 and Nevada the lowest at $30,120, representing a 1.56x ratio. Manufacturing dominates employment with 48,020 positions, followed by retail trade with 11,070 workers. The concentration in manufacturing reflects the specialized nature of these roles within food production facilities.
AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Automation risk varies by specific role, with some specialized tasks like olive pitting potentially subject to mechanization while others requiring human dexterity and judgment remaining stable. The diverse nature of roles under this classification means automation impact will be uneven across different food processing applications.
--- REASONED EDGES ---
[task_similarity] Food Batchmakers (51-3092) — confidence:high
reasoning: Both roles involve food production processes and quality control in manufacturing environments.
data: Manufacturing industry concentration
data: Food processing environment
[skill_overlap] Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (51-3093) — confidence:high
reasoning: Similar equipment operation requirements and food safety knowledge in processing facilities.
data: Equipment operation
data: Food processing specialization
[wage_band] Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders (51-9111) — confidence:medium
reasoning: Comparable wage ranges and manufacturing industry employment patterns.
data: $39,680 median wage
data: Manufacturing concentration
[job_zone] Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other (51-2099) — confidence:medium
reasoning: Both represent catch-all categories for specialized manufacturing roles requiring similar skill levels.
data: All Other classification
data: Manufacturing employment
[knowledge_overlap] Butchers and Meat Cutters (51-3021) — confidence:medium
reasoning: Shared food safety knowledge and processing environment requirements, particularly relevant for poultry hanger role.
data: Food processing specialization
data: Poultry Hanger job title
--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
match_keywords : ['olive pitter', 'pasta press operator', 'poultry hanger', 'yeast maker', 'food processing', 'food worker', 'processing operator', 'food production']
exclude_keywords : ['chef', 'cook', 'server', 'cashier', 'manager']
title_patterns : ['*food*processing*', '*processing*operator', '*food*worker*', '*maker', '*pitter']
common_variations: ['food processing worker', 'processing worker', 'food production worker', 'olive pitter', 'pasta operator', 'poultry worker', 'yeast production worker', 'food processor']
total_terms : 40 top_words : ['food', 'processing', 'hormel', 'manufacturing', 'equipment', 'specialized', 'smithfield', 'foods', 'united', 'union', 'facilities', 'production', 'products', 'operating', 'quality', 'safety', 'commercial', 'ufcw', 'pork', 'industrial'] source_layers : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference TERM COUNT FREQ DOMINANT SOURCE SOURCE BREAKDOWN ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── food 25 0.05274 inference inference:64% wikipedia:36% processing 13 0.02743 inference inference:62% wikipedia:38% hormel 8 0.01688 wikipedia wikipedia:100% manufacturing 6 0.01266 inference inference:83% wikipedia:17% equipment 6 0.01266 inference inference:83% wikipedia:17% specialized 6 0.01266 inference inference:100% smithfield 5 0.01055 wikipedia wikipedia:100% foods 5 0.01055 wikipedia wikipedia:100% united 4 0.00844 wikipedia wikipedia:75% inference:25% union 4 0.00844 wikipedia wikipedia:75% inference:25% facilities 4 0.00844 inference inference:75% wikipedia:25% production 4 0.00844 inference inference:75% wikipedia:25% products 4 0.00844 wikipedia wikipedia:75% inference:25% operating 4 0.00844 inference inference:100% quality 4 0.00844 inference inference:100% safety 4 0.00844 inference inference:100% commercial 3 0.00633 inference inference:67% wikipedia:33% ufcw 3 0.00633 wikipedia wikipedia:100% pork 3 0.00633 wikipedia wikipedia:100% industrial 3 0.00633 wikipedia wikipedia:100% engineering 3 0.00633 wikipedia wikipedia:100% pasta 3 0.00633 inference inference:100% environments 3 0.00633 inference inference:100% wage 3 0.00633 inference inference:100% representing 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:50% inference:50% approximately 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:50% inference:50% retail 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:50% inference:50% affiliated 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% afl 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% cio 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% producer 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% founded 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% largest 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% world 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% farms 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% pigs 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% disasters 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% caused 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100% companies 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:50% inference:50% accident 2 0.00422 wikipedia wikipedia:100%