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.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC: 51-9196 O*NET: 51-9196.00
Median Salary
$49,390
per year
Job Growth
📉 -6.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,610
10th percentile
Early Career
$43,520
25th percentile
Median
$49,390
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,220
75th percentile
Top Earners
$68,640
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,610
25th
$43,520
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,390
Mean: $51,750
75th
$59,220
90th
$68,640
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $32,030 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $43,520 and $59,220
- •Salary spread is 31.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 96,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:97,500
Top Industries
Manufacturing95.8%
Paper Manufacturing91.1%
Converted Paper Product Manufacturing67.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-6.3%
Annual Openings:8,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)97,500
Current
2034 (Projected)91,400
-6.3%
-6,100
Employment Change
-6.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 43 locations
Pennsylvania
7,720 jobs$50,7802.04x
Wisconsin
6,930 jobs$57,7603.77x
Georgia
6,390 jobs$48,3302.09x
Illinois
5,720 jobs$56,8601.50x
California
5,050 jobs$50,0300.44x
North Carolina
5,010 jobs$47,6001.63x
Texas
4,150 jobs$44,5700.48x
Alabama
3,930 jobs$49,3802.99x
Ohio
3,900 jobs$48,7301.12x
South Carolina
3,650 jobs$51,7202.56x
Michigan
3,540 jobs$48,5101.28x
New York
3,390 jobs$51,8600.57x
Tennessee
3,130 jobs$48,0601.52x
Indiana
3,120 jobs$47,5901.56x
New Jersey
2,570 jobs$46,2000.96x
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
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
82%
#4
Speaking
74%
#5
Time Management
66%
#6
Active Listening
58%
#7
Monitoring
48%
#8
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.1
82%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
basic2.9
58%
Monitoring
basic2.4
48%
Critical Thinking
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
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic89%
5 shared skills
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88%
5 shared skills
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Brickmasons and Blockmasons78%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic78%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers78%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Speaking
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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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
Adobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
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
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡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 mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders, and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Adjust guide assemblies, forming bars, and folding mechanisms according to specifications, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Measure, space, and set saw blades, cutters, and perforators, according to product specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Observe operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Stamp products with information such as dates, using hand stamps or automatic stamping devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Place rolls of paper or cardboard on machine feed tracks, and thread paper through gluing, coating, and slitting rollers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Cut products to specified dimensions, using hand or power cutters.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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?
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.27
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.25
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.97
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.89
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.81
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.74
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Integrity
4.0
Initiative
3.9
Cooperation
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Independence
3.7
Self-Control
3.6
💡 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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