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 ControlCoordinationActive ListeningTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingInstructingService OrientationRepairingActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisMathematicsLearning StrategiesEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingScienceOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsFood ProductionSales and MarketingAdministrativeChemistryTransportationDesignPsychologyEngineering and TechnologyEconomics and AccountingPhysicsLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaBuilding and ConstructionTelecommunicationsMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingGeographyBiologyFine ArtsHistory and Archeology
Technology & tools
Email softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareLabel printing softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordSAP softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProcessing InformationTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentThinking CreativelyDocumenting/Recording InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCoaching and Developing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesWorking with ComputersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling Resources
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
203 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Ampoule FillerAmpoule SealerApple Press OperatorAssembly Line WorkerAssembly PersonAssembly WorkerAuto RollerAutomatic Cigar Wrapper TenderAutomatic Packer OperatorBag BundlerBag Loader Machine OperatorBagging Machine OperatorBalerBaler OperatorBaling Machine TenderBandage Wrapping Machine OperatorBanderBarrel FillerBase FillerBase-Filler OperatorBB Shot PackerBelt WorkerBlister Pack OperatorBlister Packaging Machine OperatorBlockerBottle CapperBottle Capping Machine OperatorBottle CaserBottle FillerBottle LabelerBottle Line WorkerBottle PackerBottlerBottling Line OperatorBottling Machine OperatorBottling Room WorkerBox Closing Machine OperatorBox StrapperBoxer OperatorBoxing Machine Operator