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Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Production · SOC 51-9196
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$50,270
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
9,300
Proj. Annual Openings
96,130
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Operations Monitoring
2.Operation and Control
3.Quality Control Analysis
4.Active Listening
5.Speaking
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Corrugator Operator, Cup Room Technician, Folder Machine Operator, Gluer Operator, Paper Cutter Operator, Paper Machine Backtender
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.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- •Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
- •Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
- •Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- •Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Tools & Technologies
Adobe Acrobat · hotAdobe Illustrator · hotAdobe InDesign · hotAdobe Photoshop · hotMicrosoft Excel · hotMicrosoft Office software · hotQuark enterprise publishing software
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $50,270 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |