It would depend on the scale proposed. We have two methods small scale (hobbyist) or commercial. The hobbyist version is less productive but less maintenance, large scale is more productive but more maintenance. The small scale has a tray with the breeding stock at the top (beetles, eggs, pupa) and a screen bottom. Once the babies hatch the fall through the screen below away from the beetles which eat them. You would need to add/remove wet food every few day.
One of the downsides to mealworms is you cant really automate too much. Wet food is primarily from wet food which is added and removed manually. Then you have to cut it up. Crickets and cockroaches can have automated food and water dispensers which makes them easier.
Large/medium scale of lets say 100 trays will take around 5-6 hours per week once you do feeding, cleaning, harvest, food preparation. Here is an article which covers some basic setup questions.
Designing a Mealworm Farm – Your Insect Breeding Learning Centre (breedinginsects.com)
So there is a bit of work, but if you have it set up well you can produce a lot. Mealworms here in Australia sell for around $500/kg for small quantities and $36/kg for bulk quantities…all depends on how you sell it as well.
