Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Production
Runs filling and packaging machines on a production line, watching so containers are filled, sealed, and labeled to spec. Daily work includes starting the equipment, checking weights and measurements, attaching lot or shipping labels, and pulling finished packs while setting rejects aside. When a jam, pile-up, or glue failure shows up, the operator stops or resets the machine, clears it, and reports the problem to a supervisor. Defective product and packaging are pulled from the line. Suits people who like close visual checks, a steady line pace, and working next to others on the same process.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$43'220
Median Wage Market Position
$43'220
What you might do
- Run filling machines that pack goods for shipment
- Weigh and inspect products so they match specs
- Clear jams and reset machines when they stall
- Label packages with lot numbers or destinations
- Lift finished packs off and set rejects aside
- Watch the line for pile-ups and loose glue
Skills that matter
- Line monitoring for jams and pile-ups
- Weight checks against fill specs
- Machine resets after malfunctions
- Pulling rejected packs off the line
- Lot labels and shipping stencils
- Reporting jams to the supervisor
AI & the future of this role
Much of the job is already machine-paced filling and packaging, and smarter sensors and robotics may reduce how many tenders a line needs. Setup, clearing jams, and quality oversight still matter, but routine monitoring looks vulnerable.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details