Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
SOC: 51-9111 O*NET: 51-9111.00
Median Salary
$40,900
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
45.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
What does a Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,890
10th percentile
Early Career
$36,250
25th percentile
Median
$40,900
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,440
75th percentile
Top Earners
$58,910
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,890
25th
$36,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$40,900
Mean: $43,630
75th
$48,440
90th
$58,910
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $27,020 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $36,250 and $48,440
- •Salary spread is 29.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 383,860 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:381,200
Top Industries
Manufacturing78.7%
Food Manufacturing42.4%
Chemical Manufacturing16%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.5%
Annual Openings:45,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)381,200
Current
2034 (Projected)398,200
+4.5%
+17,000
Employment Change
+4.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
45,330 jobs$43,6701.01x
Illinois
29,460 jobs$40,9201.95x
Texas
19,750 jobs$37,2000.57x
Pennsylvania
18,940 jobs$43,4701.26x
Ohio
18,870 jobs$40,8001.37x
New York
17,530 jobs$39,9100.74x
Wisconsin
16,500 jobs$44,1702.27x
Florida
16,190 jobs$36,5600.66x
Michigan
15,750 jobs$38,0901.44x
North Carolina
13,460 jobs$40,6401.10x
Georgia
13,010 jobs$40,9001.08x
Indiana
12,260 jobs$42,8201.55x
Missouri
10,380 jobs$47,0101.43x
Kentucky
9,220 jobs$43,1901.86x
New Jersey
9,120 jobs$42,1900.86x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Monitoring
86%
#3
Coordination
70%
#4
Operation and Control
56%
#5
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate3.5
70%
Operation and Control
basic2.8
56%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers80%
4 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers80%
4 shared skills
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders80%
4 shared skills
Highway Maintenance Workers71%
5 shared skills
Pile Driver Operators71%
5 shared skills
Construction Laborers67%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Operation and Control
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)
1
Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Adjust machine components and machine tension and pressure according to size or processing angle of product.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Tend or operate machine that packages product.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Regulate machine flow, speed, or temperature.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Secure finished packaged items by hand tying, sewing, gluing, stapling, or attaching fastener.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Stock and sort product for packaging or filling machine operation, and replenish packaging supplies, such as wrapping paper, plastic sheet, boxes, cartons, glue, ink, or labels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clean and remove damaged or otherwise inferior materials to prepare raw products for processing.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.38
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.21
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.06
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.91
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.70
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.51
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.2
Self-Control
4.1
Independence
3.9
Cooperation
3.7
Integrity
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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