Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
Median pay: $43,220/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +4.5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 45,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
• Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
• Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
• Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
• Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
• Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
• Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
• Start machine by engaging controls.
What's the median pay for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders?
The median pay for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is $43,220 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders?
Employment for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is projected to change +4.5% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders?
About 45,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.