Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.
Median pay: $50,270/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: -6.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 8,100 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.
• Examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders, and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
• Observe operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.
• Start machines and move controls to regulate tension on pressure rolls, to synchronize speed of machine components, and to adjust temperatures of glue or paraffin.
• Disassemble machines to maintain, repair, or replace broken or worn parts, using hand or power tools.
What's the median pay for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
The median pay for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $50,270 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Employment for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is projected to change -6.3% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
About 8,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.