Occupation · SOC 51-9196
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.
Median wage
$49,390
$36,610–$68,640
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
96,950
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisTime ManagementSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringActive Listening
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
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.Fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard.Measure, space, and set saw blades, cutters, and perforators, according to product specifications.Stamp products with information such as dates, using hand stamps or automatic stamping devices.Lift tote boxes of finished cartons, and dump cartons into feed hoppers.Remove finished cores, and stack or place them on conveyors for transfer to other work areas.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Machine start-up procedures — follow step-by-step under direct supervisor guidance on a paper goods production line.Completed paper goods samples — inspect visually for obvious defects against a provided work order checklist.Pressure roll tension controls — identify and adjust to basic settings under close technician supervision.Machine malfunctions such as misfeeds or glue flow errors — recognize and report promptly to a lead operator.Hand tools and basic power tools — select and use safely during guided disassembly tasks on assigned equipment.Machine speed synchronization controls — observe and describe the relationship between components under trainer direction.Production and processing terminology — apply foundational vocabulary when communicating status to supervisors on the shop floor.Work orders and job specifications — read and reference to confirm correct material setup before each production run.Safety protocols and personal protective equipment — follow without deviation during all machine operating tasks.Document management software — enter basic production data into pre-built templates under supervisor instruction.
developing
Completed paper goods output — examine routinely for dimensional and quality defects and make minor machine adjustments to correct problems.Glue flow and paraffin temperature settings — monitor and regulate independently to maintain specification during standard production runs.Pressure roll and component speed controls — adjust to synchronize machine operation with reduced oversight on familiar paper goods equipment.Common malfunctions such as improper forming or pasteboard tension loss — diagnose and correct using established troubleshooting procedures.Worn or broken machine parts — replace using hand and power tools following standard maintenance schedules.Production time targets — manage personal workflow to meet output quotas while maintaining quality standards on the production floor.Defect patterns and quality trends — track across shifts using spreadsheet software to support continuous improvement efforts.Verbal status updates and shift handover information — communicate clearly and accurately to incoming operators and supervisors.Near-vision inspection tasks — perform consistently with attention to detail to catch subtle surface or adhesion defects in finished goods.Work order deviations and non-conformance events — document accurately in electronic logs using office suite software.
proficient
Full production runs across multiple paper goods machine types — operate autonomously, adjusting all variables to maintain quality and throughput.Non-routine machine malfunctions including intermittent forming defects — diagnose root causes through systematic critical thinking and correct without supervisory assistance.Machine tension, temperature, and speed parameters — optimize simultaneously to resolve complex interaction effects during demanding production conditions.Comprehensive disassembly and reassembly procedures — execute independently, sourcing correct replacement parts and verifying proper function after repair.Quality control analysis across an entire shift — conduct, identifying systemic defect trends and implementing corrective adjustments before output is compromised.Production scheduling conflicts and competing priorities — resolve using sound time management across concurrent machine assignments.Maintenance findings and quality deviations — report to engineering and management teams through clear oral and written communication.Customer specifications and work order requirements — interpret accurately and translate into precise machine setup configurations for specialty paper goods runs.Selective attention across multiple simultaneously running machines — sustain throughout a full shift to detect early warning signs of mechanical drift.Graphics or desktop publishing software — use to prepare visual setup guides and defect reference sheets for production reference boards.
advanced
Machine setup standards and quality benchmarks — establish and formalize for the entire paper goods production department to ensure consistent output.New operator training programs — design and deliver on-the-job, calibrating instruction pace to Job Zone 2 learners entering the production floor.Equipment upgrade and preventive maintenance schedules — develop and champion to reduce unplanned downtime across the full machine fleet.Complex production problems affecting multiple machine lines — lead cross-functional troubleshooting efforts, applying deep mechanical knowledge to achieve resolution.Departmental quality control procedures — evaluate and revise systematically, incorporating defect data analysis to drive measurable process improvement.Production capacity and shift resource allocation — plan and optimize at an organizational level to meet customer delivery commitments.Safety culture and cautiousness practices — model and reinforce across all operators, ensuring departmental compliance with regulatory and internal standards.Customer relationship management software — leverage to coordinate custom order specifications with production scheduling and communicate proactively with internal stakeholders.Performance metrics and production reports — compile and present to plant management, translating floor-level data into strategic operational recommendations.Continuous improvement initiatives — lead with perseverance across extended project timelines, sustaining team motivation and measuring tangible efficiency gains.
Also known as
110 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Spiral Tube WinderTag Machine OperatorRewinder OperatorPlate WorkerNapkin Machine OperatorRotoformer BacktenderMachinist (Marine Corps 2161)Paper Cap Machine OperatorEnvelope MakerFolder Machine OperatorPaper FeederCorrugator Machine OperatorPaper Goods Machine Set-Up OperatorPaper RulerPaper Machine Setup OperatorPleating Machine OperatorLabel FolderBag ValverFeeder Worker Power Unit OperatorBox FabricatorProduction CorrugatorFolder Machine AdjusterCorrugator OperatorConvolute-Tube WinderCard FolderLace Paper Machine OperatorLabel RewinderCup Room TechnicianBox LinerAllied Trades Specialist (Army 91E)Paper RewinderPaper Plate Machine TenderValve Machine OperatorEnvelope-Folding-Machine AdjusterBag MakerPaper Cutter OperatorRoll ReclaimerEnvelope Folding Machine OperatorFolding Machine OperatorFolder