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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $49,390 in the US and is projected to decline by 6% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.55 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Monitoring, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £30,360 a year for Paper and wood machine operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8131). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Engineering and Technology
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.
- Cut products to specified dimensions, using hand or power cutters.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders do?
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 much does Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in the US is $49,390.
What is the job outlook for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The role is projected to decline by 6% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 97,500 workers.
How do I become paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Active Listening. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders a score of 0.55 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.