# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paper-goods-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders
- SOC code: 51-9196.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $50,270 (10th percentile $37,300, 90th percentile $70,320)
- Projected growth: Decline, -3.6%
- Openings a year: 9,000
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 92 |
| Investigative (I) | 12 |
| Artistic (A) | 4 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 8 |
| Conventional (C) | 59 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 86/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 83/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 81/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 75/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 74/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 71/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 67/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 67/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 67/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking, Time Management, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, Mechanical, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Education and Training, Public Safety and Security, Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Administration and Management

## Also called

Bag Machine Operator, Bag Machine Tender, Bag Maker, Bag Presser, Bag Valver, Bender Machine Operator, Binder, Box Brander, Box Fabricator, Box Finisher

## Related careers

- [Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/adhesive-bonding-machine-operators-and-tenders): $46,460 median pay
- [Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-and-slicing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $46,570 median pay
- [Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-cutting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $38,760 median pay
- [Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-and-forming-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-synthetic-and-glass-fibers): $46,350 median pay
- [Machine Feeders and Offbearers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machine-feeders-and-offbearers): $41,220 median pay
- [Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-forming-pressing-and-compacting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $45,760 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.