Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
SOC Code: 51-9196
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders carries a 32% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $49,390 and -6.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 97,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 32% AI exposure, Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders sits 5 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 37% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders has ai exposure of 32%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9196) carries an AI exposure score of 32%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 97,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -6.3% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $49,390, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders, and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
- 2. Observe operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.
- 3. Install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.
- 4. Cut products to specified dimensions, using hand or power cutters.
- 5. Place rolls of paper or cardboard on machine feed tracks, and thread paper through gluing, coating, and slitting rollers.
- 6. Monitor finished cartons as they drop from forming machines into rotating hoppers and into gravity feed chutes to prevent jamming.
- 7. Adjust guide assemblies, forming bars, and folding mechanisms according to specifications, using hand tools.
- 8. 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.
- 9. Measure, space, and set saw blades, cutters, and perforators, according to product specifications.
- 10. Fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
Knowledge Areas
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders has an AI exposure score of 32%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to decline by 6.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 97,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Key skills for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The median annual wage for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is $49,390, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The typical entry-level education for Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).