Production
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.
Median pay
$50,270
Growth to 2035
−4%
declining
Openings a year
9,000
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Paper goods machine setters, 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 paper goods machine setters, 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 standing
Hazardous conditions
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders: 30% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Corrugator Operator · Cup Room Technician · Folder Machine Operator · Gluer Operator · Paper Cutter Operator · Paper Machine Backtender · Paper Machine Operator · Stitching Machine Operator
Outlook and AI
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders held 96,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 92,600 by 2035 (−4%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
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