Food Batchmakers
Machines can already do 25% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 65%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Food Batchmakers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 25% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 65% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 174,520 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $42,290 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
- Also called: Batching Operator, Blender, Brewing Technician, Compounder.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas | 10% | 30% to 75% | |
| Select and measure or weigh ingredients, using English or metric measures and balance scales | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or an agitator, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle | 6% | 70% to 95% | |
| Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Press switches and turn knobs to start, adjust, and regulate equipment, such as beaters, extruders, discharge pipes, and salt pumps | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Observe and listen to equipment to detect possible malfunctions, such as leaks or plugging, and report malfunctions or undesirable tastes to supervisors | 4% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills food batchmakers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers61% of tasks by 2035
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,330
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $46,680
- Medical Equipment Preparers62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,700
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Food Batchmakers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of food batchmakers?
Machines can do 25% of the tasks of food batchmakers today and 65% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-3092.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Food Batchmakers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/food-batchmakers/