Occupation · SOC 51-9111
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
Median wage
$40,900
$31,890–$58,910
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
383,860
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringMonitoringOperation and ControlActive ListeningCoordination
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Electronic mail softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareLabel making softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.Start machine by engaging controls.Tend or operate machine that packages product.Clean, oil, and make minor adjustments or repairs to machinery and equipment, such as opening valves or setting guides.Regulate machine flow, speed, or temperature.Adjust machine components and machine tension and pressure according to size or processing angle of product.Supply materials to spindles, conveyors, hoppers, or other feeding devices and unload packaged product.Package the product in the form in which it will be sent out, for example, filling bags with flour from a chute or spout.Stack finished packaged items, or wrap protective material around each item, and pack the items in cartons or containers.Stock and sort product for packaging or filling machine operation, and replenish packaging supplies, such as wrapping paper, plastic sheet, boxes, cartons, glue, ink, or labels.Count and record finished and rejected packaged items.Clean packaging containers, line and pad crates, or assemble cartons to prepare for product packing.Clean and remove damaged or otherwise inferior materials to prepare raw products for processing.Secure finished packaged items by hand tying, sewing, gluing, stapling, or attaching fastener.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Machine start-up controls — engage following step-by-step written instructions on a supervised production line.Identification labels — attach to finished packaged items under direct supervisor guidance in a manufacturing facility.Product weight and measurements — verify against written specifications using basic scales and measuring tools on the production floor.Machine jams and minor malfunctions — recognize and report immediately to a supervisor without attempting independent repair.Finished packaged items — remove from machine output and place in designated bins following established plant procedures.Defective products and packaging materials — identify and set aside for rejection under close observation by experienced coworkers.Production line activity — observe for visible problems such as pile-ups or misfeeds and alert a supervisor when issues arise.Active listening skills — apply when receiving verbal instructions from supervisors and lead operators during shift orientation.Lot numbers and shipping destination information — stencil or apply to containers using provided templates under direct guidance.Basic workplace safety and security rules — follow consistently during all machine-tending activities on the packaging floor.
developing
Packaging machine operating controls — start, monitor, and stop routinely during a full production shift with minimal supervisor oversight.Product sorting and grading — perform independently, adjusting items to meet weight and dimensional specifications on a consistent basis.Production line monitoring — scan for glue adhesion failures, jams, and pile-ups and take corrective first-response actions before escalating.Machine reset procedures — execute after jams or minor stoppages, restoring normal operation within established time-to-clear guidelines.Label-making software — use to generate and print accurate identification labels for finished goods in a mid-volume packaging environment.Defect removal and rejected item separation — conduct systematically across multiple product SKUs, maintaining quality records on a shift log.Coordination with adjacent line operators — communicate product flow status and handoff requirements to maintain throughput targets.Basic spreadsheet software — enter production counts, reject tallies, and weight readings to support end-of-shift reporting requirements.Inspection routines for filled and packaged products — apply learned quality standards consistently across routine product changeovers.Arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity — apply when hand-placing or adjusting components on fast-moving packaging lines under time pressure.
proficient
Full packaging line operations — manage autonomously across multiple machine types, ensuring continuous conformity to quality and output standards.Non-routine machine malfunctions — diagnose root causes, perform allowable mechanical adjustments, and document findings in the maintenance log.Product weight verification systems — calibrate and validate scales and measurement tools to ensure specification compliance throughout the shift.Quality inspection program — execute comprehensively for filled, sealed, labeled, and stenciled products, catching non-conformances before downstream release.ERP software production modules — enter and retrieve work orders, material usage, and output data to maintain accurate manufacturing records.Changeover procedures — lead product or format changeovers efficiently, adjusting machine settings and verifying first-article samples independently.Problem sensitivity and perceptual speed — apply to detect subtle visual and auditory cues signaling emerging equipment or product issues before stoppages occur.Stenciling and labeling accuracy — ensure lot numbers, expiration dates, and shipping destinations meet regulatory and customer requirements without supervision.Rejected and defective item disposition — evaluate borderline nonconforming items, make accept-or-reject decisions, and complete required paperwork.Production reporting — compile shift-level output, downtime, and quality data using office suite and spreadsheet software for supervisor review.
advanced
Packaging line performance standards — establish throughput, quality, and efficiency targets for the department and communicate expectations to all operators.Operator training program — design and deliver structured on-the-job instruction covering machine start-up, monitoring, jam clearance, and quality inspection.Continuous improvement initiatives — lead line-level process reviews identifying recurring malfunction patterns and implementing corrective actions to reduce downtime.Quality conformance strategy — develop and refine inspection protocols and rejection criteria aligned with customer specifications and regulatory requirements.ERP and production data systems — oversee accurate data entry practices across the shift team, using reports to drive resource and scheduling decisions.Cross-functional coordination — represent the packaging department in meetings with maintenance, quality, and logistics teams to resolve systemic production issues.Safety and compliance culture — model and enforce adherence to public safety, security, and mechanical safety procedures across all personnel on the packaging floor.Workforce scheduling and deployment — allocate operators across multiple lines based on skill level, production demand, and equipment availability.Label and stencil accuracy governance — audit labeling and coding practices department-wide, correcting deficiencies and updating procedures to prevent mislabeling incidents.Mentorship and career development — coach developing operators on advanced machine control, quality judgment, and workplace dependability to build long-term team capability.
Also known as
237 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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