Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- Examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders, and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
- Observe the operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.
- Install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.
- Cut products to specified dimensions, using hand or power cutters.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Paper Goods Machine Operators start machines and move controls to regulate tension on pressure rolls, synchronize the speed of machine components, and adjust temperatures of glue or paraffin. They examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
- Adjust guide assemblies, forming bars, and folding mechanisms according to specifications, using hand tools.
- Monitor finished cartons as they drop from forming machines into rotating hoppers and into gravity feed chutes to prevent jamming.
- Stamp products with information such as dates, using hand stamps or automatic stamping devices.
- Remove finished cores, and stack or place them on conveyors for transfer to other work areas.
- Lift tote boxes of finished cartons, and dump cartons into feed hoppers.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Paper Goods Machine Operators also fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard. They may also load automatic stapling mechanisms.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Paper Goods Machine Operators cut products to specified dimensions, using hand or power cutters. They might also disassemble machines to maintain, repair, or replace broken or worn parts, using hand or power tools.
In addition, they lift tote boxes of finished cartons and dump cartons into feed hoppers.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them measure, space, and set saw blades, cutters, and perforators, according to product specifications.
To some Paper Goods Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $26,150 to $31,320 per year or $13 to $15 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $61,510 | $30 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $50,000 | $24 |
| Median | $39,820 | $19 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $31,320 | $15 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $26,150 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $51820 | $24.91 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $42270 | $20.32 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $41710 | $20.05 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | $40720 | $19.58 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $39510 | $18.99 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $37360 | $17.96 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $36860 | $17.72 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $36760 | $17.67 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | $35860 | $17.24 |
| Support Activities for Crop Production | $33970 | $16.33 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 62840 | $39510 | $18.99 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 22330 | $51820 | $24.91 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 4420 | $36860 | $17.72 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 1750 | $37360 | $17.96 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 780 | $31890 | $15.33 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 660 | $32110 | $15.44 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | 380 | $35860 | $17.24 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 210 | $32850 | $15.79 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 210 | $33220 | $15.97 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 160 | $36760 | $17.67 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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