Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
Also called: Bundler · Closing Machine Operator · Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator (CNC Machine Operator) · Filler Operator · Machine Operator · Packaging Operator
Median pay (national)
$40,900
$31,890–$58,910 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
383,860
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.5%
~45,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $58,910 versus $31,890 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $40,900 leaves roughly 44% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.5% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 45,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Wyoming pays the most for this role (median $48,530, +19% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $24,950 — a 95% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
- Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
- Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
- Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
- Start machine by engaging controls.
- Tend or operate machine that packages product.
- Clean, oil, and make minor adjustments or repairs to machinery and equipment, such as opening valves or setting guides.
- Regulate machine flow, speed, or temperature.
- Adjust machine components and machine tension and pressure according to size or processing angle of product.
- Supply materials to spindles, conveyors, hoppers, or other feeding devices and unload packaged product.
Tools & technology
- SAP software
- Label printing software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management