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: Ampoule Filler, Ampoule Sealer, Apple Press Operator, Assembly Line Worker, Assembly Person, Assembly Worker
Median pay
$43,220
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$33,390 – $60,030
People employed
379,060
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 6.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in every state →
What packaging and filling machine operators and tenders do
- 01Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
- 02Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
- 03Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
- 04Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
- 05Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
- 06Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers90% · −5%
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers89% · +7%
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders85% · −12%
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic83% · +16%
- Packers and Packagers, Hand82% · −16%
Change into packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers90% · $40,240
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders86% · $38,180
- Packers and Packagers, Hand85% · $36,280
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers84% · $41,220
- Food Batchmakers83% · $42,290