Production
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
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
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
41,400
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders: 30% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Bundler · Closing Machine Operator · Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator (CNC Machine Operator) · Filler Operator · Machine Operator · Packaging Operator · Packing Attendant · Packing Machine Operator
Outlook and AI
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders held 377,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 393,300 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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