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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders to decrease by -3.6% between 2024 and 2034, from 96,100 to 92,600 jobs. Its estimate of 9,000 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($50,270), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
96,100
Projected employment (2034)
92,600
Projected change (2024–2034)
-4%
Annual openings (projected average)
9,000
Pay & Preparation
$50,270
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (3.62/5) • Operation and Control (3.25/5) • Quality Control Analysis (3.12/5) • Time Management (3/5) • Monitoring (3/5) • Active Listening (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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