Occupation · SOC 43-9071
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
Operate one or more of a variety of office machines, such as photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines.
Median wage
$39,020
$29,850–$56,340
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
24,740
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementMonitoringActive ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge areas
English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareDesktop communications softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
Read job orders to determine the type of work to be done, the quantities to be produced, and the matDeliver completed work.Place original copies in feed trays, feed originals into feed rolls, or position originals on tables
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Job orders and work instructions — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify document type, required quantities, and materials needed in an office production environment.Original documents and print media — place in feed trays or position on scanner beds following established procedures on standard office reproduction equipment.High-speed photocopiers and basic office machines — operate under close guidance, producing routine copy jobs in a supervised office or print services setting.Machine speed, ink flow, and copy count — adjust basic settings with supervisor assistance when setting up equipment for a standard production run.Completed output and finished documents — sort, assemble, and perform basic proofing checks following step-by-step quality guidelines provided by a lead operator.Production records and output logs — complete simple records of daily work volumes, materials consumed, and job counts using provided paper or digital templates.Finished print and document jobs — deliver to designated recipients or output stations following established routing procedures within a workplace facility.Equipment error messages and paper jams — recognize common operational alerts and apply documented troubleshooting steps under direct supervision on office machines.Customer or client service interactions — listen actively and relay job requests to supervisors or senior operators in a front-facing office services environment.Office suite and document management software — navigate basic functions under guidance to log jobs and retrieve electronic files in support of machine operations.
developing
Job orders for varied document types — read and interpret independently to plan sequencing of work, materials staging, and machine selection in a busy office production room.High-speed photocopiers, scanners, folding machines, and binders — operate routinely with minimal oversight, switching between equipment as production needs change throughout a shift.Machine settings including speed, focus, ink flow, and paper feed — set up and regulate with confidence for standard and recurring job types without supervisory prompting.Originals on camera tables and automated feed mechanisms — position and feed accurately for scanning or microfilm reproduction tasks, adapting for varying document sizes and conditions.Completed print and document packages — sort, collate, proof, and assemble with consistent accuracy before delivery, catching common errors such as missing pages or misalignment.Production volume logs and materials usage records — maintain complete and accurate daily documentation, flagging backlog situations to supervisors in a timely manner.Service pricing schedules and payment processing — compute job costs and receive payment, or compile accurate billing summaries for supervisor review in a customer-facing copy center.Time across concurrent production jobs — manage independently, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and minimize machine idle time during moderate-volume workdays.Document management and desktop publishing software — use routinely to prepare, format, and track document files in support of machine output in an office services environment.Equipment performance and output quality — monitor continuously during production runs, identifying deviations from expected results and making minor adjustments without waiting for direction.
proficient
Complex and non-routine job orders — analyze and translate into full production plans, selecting optimal equipment, settings, and workflows independently in a high-volume office production environment.Full range of office machines including addressing machines, stencil-cutters, bursters, microfilm printers, and inserting machines — operate and troubleshoot across the complete equipment inventory without supervision.Machine calibration factors such as ink viscosity, roller pressure, focus, and feed timing — fine-tune for specialized or high-quality jobs, drawing on accumulated technical knowledge to achieve precise output.Output quality across large production runs — monitor with sustained selective attention, detecting subtle defects in registration, density, or binding and implementing corrective action before significant waste occurs.Billing computations and production cost analysis — perform accurately for complex or multi-component jobs, providing supervisors with detailed and reliable financial summaries in customer-facing environments.Production records, backlog reports, and materials inventory data — compile and analyze to identify efficiency gaps and recommend process improvements within the department.Critical judgment on ambiguous or incomplete job orders — exercise independently, consulting customers or stakeholders to clarify requirements before committing materials and machine time.Document management, database query, and spreadsheet software — leverage proficiently to track job status, manage records, and generate production reports in a digitally integrated office setting.Finished work packages for internal and external recipients — coordinate delivery logistics ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and proper handling of sensitive or confidential materials.Operational problems including recurring mechanical issues or quality failures — diagnose root causes using systematic observation and apply lasting solutions, escalating only when equipment repair is required.
advanced
Office machine operations policies and production standards — establish and document for the department, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across all operators and equipment types.New and less experienced operators — train, mentor, and evaluate on machine setup, job order interpretation, quality control, and safe equipment handling in a structured on-the-job learning environment.Equipment acquisition, maintenance scheduling, and vendor relationships — oversee to ensure the full fleet of office machines remains operational and cost-effective across the organization.Production workflow and staffing allocation — plan and optimize across competing priorities and deadlines, maximizing throughput and minimizing downtime in a multi-operator office services operation.Billing systems, pricing structures, and service cost models — design and maintain, ensuring accurate and competitive pricing for all document production services offered by the unit.Quality assurance standards for finished output — define, implement, and audit across all job types, holding the team accountable to measurable accuracy and presentation benchmarks.Technology upgrades including document management platforms, imaging software, and new equipment models — evaluate, recommend, and lead adoption to improve productivity and capabilities organization-wide.Production data, volume trends, and backlog metrics — analyze at a strategic level to forecast resource needs and present actionable operational insights to organizational leadership.Customer service protocols and escalation procedures — develop and model for the team, ensuring high-quality interactions with internal and external clients in all office services engagements.Departmental integrity and ethical standards for handling confidential documents — champion and enforce, establishing a culture of dependability and information security across the entire office production function.
Also known as
83 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Offset Duplicating Machine OperatorPhotostat OperatorTransit Department ClerkCopy Center AssociateRecordak OperatorMicrofilm MounterMachine OperatorDuplicatorCopy Center ClerkMimeograph OperatorSet-O-Type OperatorService OperatorProof OperatorDocument PhotographerPhotographic-Machine OperatorCopy AssociateScanning Equipment OperatorService Center OperatorKey OperatorBraille Duplicating Machine OperatorDuplicating Machine OperatorCopy and Print AssociateCopy Machine OperatorMultigrapherMultilith OperatorCoin Machine OperatorLine-O-Scribe OperatorCopy TechnicianPrinting Services CoordinatorCopy OperatorCollator OperatorMicrofilmerCompotype OperatorScanners ClerkXerox Machine OperatorPrint Center AssociateMimeographerOffice Machine Embossograph OperatorMultigraph OperatorPhotocopying Machine Operator