Jobs / Physical work / 51-9196.00

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.

US jobs
96,130
Median wage
$50,270 a year
Job family
Physical work

Can agents do the work of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?

We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Physical work:

  • Task levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.
  • Project levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.

Unexplored territory

No benchmark in this atlas covers this work yet.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
  • Place rolls of paper or cardboard on machine feed tracks, and thread paper through gluing, coating, and slitting rollers.
  • Monitor finished cartons as they drop from forming machines into rotating hoppers and into gravity feed chutes to prevent jamming.
  • Adjust guide assemblies, forming bars, and folding mechanisms according to specifications, using hand tools.
  • Measure, space, and set saw blades, cutters, and perforators, according to product specifications.
  • Fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard.
  • Stamp products with information such as dates, using hand stamps or automatic stamping devices.
Other job titles for this occupation (80)

Corrugator Operator · Cup Room Technician · Folder Machine Operator · Gluer Operator · Paper Cutter Operator · Paper Machine Backtender · Paper Machine Operator · Stitching Machine Operator · Bag Machine Operator · Bag Machine Tender · Bag Maker · Bag Presser · Bag Valver · Bender Machine Operator · Binder · Box Brander · Box Fabricator · Box Finisher · Box Folding Machine Operator · Box Liner · Box Machine Operator · Box Stamper · Bundler · Card Folder · Carton Folder · Carton Forming Machine Operator · Carton Maker · Carton Making Machine Operator · Cellophane Bag Machine Operator · Convolute Tube Winder · Corrugated Box Machine Operator · Corrugator · Corrugator Machine Operator · Crepe Machine Operator · Crepe Maker · Cylinder Machine Operator · Envelope Adjuster · Envelope Folding Machine Adjuster · Envelope Folding Machine Operator · Envelope Machine Operator · Envelope Maker · Feeder · Feeder Worker Power Unit Operator · Flange Machine Operator · Flexo Label Rewinder (Flexographic Label Rewinder) · Folder · Folder Machine Adjuster · Folder Operator · Folding Machine Operator · Four Corner Former Machine Operator · Label Folder · Label Rewinder · Lace Paper Machine Operator · Lining Folder · Mat Gauger · Matchbook Maker · Napkin Machine Operator · Offset Label Rewinder · Paper Bag Machine Operator · Paper Bag Maker · Paper Cap Machine Operator · Paper Cone Machine Operator · Paper Cone Machine Tender · Paper Cup Machine Tender · Paper Feeder · Paper Folder · Paper Folding Machine Operator · Paper Goods Machine Set-Up Operator · Paper Machine Setup Operator · Paper Machine Tender · Paper Maker · Paper Making Machine Operator · Paper Plate Machine Tender · Paper Reclaiming Machine Operator · Paper Reel Operator · Paper Rewinder · Paper Roll Machine Operator · Paper Roller · Paper Ruler · Paper Tube Machine Operator