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Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Massachusetts
Considering working as a Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Massachusetts? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make in Massachusetts?
For paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders working in Massachusetts, wages run about $48,530 per year (or about $23.33/hour).Annual wages span from $39,950 at the 10th percentile to $61,950 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,950 | $19.21 |
| 25th percentile | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Median (50th) | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 75th percentile | $56,460 | $27.14 |
| 90th percentile | $61,950 | $29.79 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Massachusetts compared to the national average — is 0.94.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn a median of $38,587 per year ($18.55/hour), exceeding the Massachusetts median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 450,749 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S.. In Massachusetts alone, approximately 2,150 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,650 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders.
Top Massachusetts Metros for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
The metro areas below employ the most paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Massachusetts.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 640 | $48,500 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 540 | $51,790 |
| Springfield, MA | 440 | $47,430 |
Top States for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Employment
The table below shows the states where the most paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 7,720 |
| Wisconsin | 6,930 |
| Georgia | 6,390 |
| Illinois | 5,720 |
| California | 5,050 |
| North Carolina | 5,010 |
| Texas | 4,150 |
| Alabama | 3,930 |
| Ohio | 3,900 |
| South Carolina | 3,650 |
| Michigan | 3,540 |
| New York | 3,390 |
| Tennessee | 3,130 |
| Indiana | 3,120 |
| New Jersey | 2,570 |
| Washington | 2,500 |
| Kentucky | 2,310 |
| Virginia | 2,310 |
| Massachusetts | 2,150 |
| Minnesota | 1,950 |
Highest-Paying States for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
The highest-paying states for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $62,690 |
| Oklahoma | $61,750 |
| Utah | $59,100 |
| Wisconsin | $57,760 |
| Oregon | $57,010 |
| Illinois | $56,860 |
| Idaho | $56,300 |
| Washington | $56,240 |
| Minnesota | $55,790 |
| Kentucky | $53,650 |
Skills
Key paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Measure, space, and set saw blades, cutters, and perforators, according to product specifications.
- Fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard.
- Stamp products with information such as dates, using hand stamps or automatic stamping devices.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat
Related Careers
Careers similar to paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders include:
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also Known As
Bag Machine Operator, Bag Machine Tender, Bag Maker, Bag Presser, Bag Valver, Bender Machine Operator, Binder, Box Brander, Box Fabricator, Box Finisher, Box Folding Machine Operator, Box Liner, Box Machine Operator, Box Stamper, Bundler.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-9196.00