Career Overview
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
Also Known As
- Bundler
- Filler Operator
- Machine Operator
- Packaging Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Ampoule Filler
- Ampoule Sealer
- Apple Press Operator
- Assembly Line Worker
- Assembly Person
- Assembly Worker
- Auto Roller
- Automatic Cigar Wrapper Tender
- Automatic Packer Operator
- Bag Bundler
- Bag Loader Machine Operator
- Bagging Machine Operator
- Baler
- Baler Operator
- Baling Machine Tender
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
- Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
- 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.
- Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Oral Comprehension
- Perceptual Speed
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Speech Recognition
- Trunk Strength
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Box cutters
- Claw hammers
- Desktop computers
- Dial calipers
- Forklifts
- Glue guns
- Handtrucks
- Industrial platform scales
- Industrial sewing machines
- Label-making machines
- Locking pliers
- Measuring tapes
- Pallet jacks
- Pallet movers
Work Environment
- Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
- Spend Time Standing
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Time Pressure
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $31,890 |
| Median | $40,900 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $58,910 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 383,860
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Packers and Packagers, Hand
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $35,580
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $39,700
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,210
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,130
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,390
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.