Manufacturing51-9196.00Specialization

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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.

$47,250
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
🟠
In Transition

This is a specialization of

Production Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: low AI task exposure, declining job demand, limited human advantage indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

0% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-6% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 9/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Microsoft ExcelPrint production softwareAdobe Creative SuiteMachine control softwareQuality control systems

Key Abilities

Near VisionProblem SensitivityArm-Hand SteadinessControl PrecisionInformation OrderingSelective AttentionManual DexterityFinger DexterityOral ComprehensionOral Expression

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Compensation Details

$35,590
10th Percentile
$47,250
Median
$64,290
90th Percentile

Based on 96,460 employed workers

Also Known As

Bag Machine OperatorBag Machine TenderBag MakerBag PresserBag ValverBender Machine OperatorBinderBox BranderBox FabricatorBox Finisher

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 51-9196.00