What You Need to Know About Paper Goods Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
Paper Goods Machine Operator Definition 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.
A Day in the Life of a Paper Goods Machine Operator
- Install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.
- Place rolls of paper or cardboard on machine feed tracks, and thread paper through gluing, coating, and slitting rollers.
- Remove finished cores, and stack or place them on conveyors for transfer to other work areas.
- Fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard.
- Observe operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.
- Stamp products with information such as dates, using hand stamps or automatic stamping devices.
Featured schools near , edit
Paper Goods Machine Operator Required Skills
When polled, Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Paper Goods Machine Operator Job Titles
- Paper Reel Operator
- Winderman
- Box Finisher
- Reeler
- Rewinder Operator
Job Outlook for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 94,600 jobs in the United States for Paper Goods Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Paper Goods Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 8,300 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Paper Goods Machine Operator are Nevada, Idaho, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, Kansas, or Colorado. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Paper Goods Machine Operator
The salary for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $23,820 and $60,790 a year.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in South Carolina, Oklahoma, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $44,340 |
Arizona | $37,010 |
Arkansas | $38,710 |
California | $36,630 |
Colorado | $32,800 |
Connecticut | $40,780 |
Florida | $37,940 |
Georgia | $43,160 |
Idaho | $44,240 |
Illinois | $37,370 |
Indiana | $33,230 |
Iowa | $40,980 |
Kansas | $35,760 |
Kentucky | $43,520 |
Louisiana | $44,520 |
Maine | $33,310 |
Maryland | $35,970 |
Massachusetts | $38,110 |
Michigan | $39,460 |
Minnesota | $44,150 |
Mississippi | $28,780 |
Missouri | $43,260 |
Nebraska | $34,350 |
Nevada | $40,530 |
New Hampshire | $35,840 |
New Jersey | $31,880 |
New Mexico | $32,190 |
New York | $37,950 |
North Carolina | $37,450 |
Ohio | $39,730 |
Oklahoma | $50,090 |
Oregon | $52,990 |
Pennsylvania | $41,370 |
Rhode Island | $31,920 |
South Carolina | $50,250 |
South Dakota | $34,950 |
Tennessee | $32,230 |
Texas | $32,820 |
Utah | $36,880 |
Vermont | $39,070 |
Virginia | $43,390 |
Washington | $48,450 |
West Virginia | $43,190 |
Wisconsin | $44,200 |
What Tools & Technology do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Quark
How do I Become a Paper Goods Machine Operator?
Individuals working as a Paper Goods Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Paper Goods Machine Operator?

Where do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work?

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Paper Goods Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Paper Goods Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |