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, Packing Attendant, Packing Machine Operator, 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, Bandage Wrapping Machine Operator, Bander, Barrel Filler, Base Filler, Base-Filler Operator, BB Shot Packer, Belt Worker, Blister Pack Operator, Blister Packaging Machine Operator, Blocker, Bottle Capper, Bottle Capping Machine Operator, Bottle Caser, Bottle Filler, Bottle Labeler, Bottle Line Worker, Bottle Packer, Bottler, Bottling Line Operator, Bottling Machine Operator, Bottling Room Worker, Box Closing Machine Operator, Box Strapper, Boxer Operator, Boxing Machine Operator, Bread Wrapper, Bread Wrapper Operator, Bullet Charging Machine Operator, Bunch Maker, Bundling Machine Operator, Can Capper, Can Closing Machine Operator, Can Closing Machine Tender, Can Coverer, Can Filler, Can Labeler, Can Line Operator, Can Sealer, Candle Wrapping Machine Operator, Candy Wrapping Machine Operator, Canner, Cannery Worker, Canning Machine Operator, Capper, Capper Machine Operator, Capping Machine Operator, Capsule Filler, Capsule Filling Machine Operator, Capsule Machine Operator, Capsule Maker, Carder, Carton Filling Machine Operator, Carton Machine Operator, Carton Packaging Machine Operator, Cartridge Filler, Case Loader Operator, Case Packer and Sealer, Casing Finisher and Stuffer, Casing Runner, Casing Running Machine Tender, Cellophaner, Chemical Operator, Cigar Bander, Cigar Brander, Cigarette Packer, Cigarette Packing Machine Operator, Comfort Filler, Corker, Corking Machine Operator, Cotton Baler, Cotton Roll Packer, Cubing Machine Tender, Cylinder Filler, Drum Filler, Dumping Machine Operator, Dynamite Packing Machine Operator, Filler, Filler Machine Operator, Filling Machine Operator, Filling Machine Tender, Filling Operator, Filling Room Operator, Filling Technician (Filling Tech), Foam Charger, Foam Dispenser, Food Bagging Machine Operator, Fruit Canner, Fruit Grader Operator, Gelatin Dynamite Packing Operator, Glass Vial Filler, Ham Rolling Machine Operator, Hot Kettle Tender, Icicle Machine Operator, Insulation Packer, Jar Capper, Jar Filler, Keg Filler, Keg Header, Label Manager, Labeler, Labeling Machine Operator, Level Glass Vial Filler, Link Machine Operator, Linking Machine Operator, Loading Machine Adjuster, Loading Machine Operator, Loading Unit Operator, Loading Unit Tool Setter, Lumber Tying Machine Operator, Machine Crater, Machine Package Sealer, Machine Packager, Machine Packer, Machine Preservative Filler, Machine Quilt Stuffer, Manifold Operator, Masking Machine Operator, Meal Packer, Meat Molder, Meat Stuffer, Milk Bottler, Milk Bottling Machine Operator, Nester, Operator, Order Packer, Oxygen Tank Filler, Packager, Packaging Associate, Packaging Line Operator, Packaging Machine Operator, Packaging Specialist, Packaging Technician, Packer Inspector, Packing Machine Pilot Can Router, Packing Operator, Palletizer, Palletizer Operator, Plug Overwrap Machine Tender, Potato Chip Packaging Machine Operator, Potato Chip Sacking Machine Operator, Pouch Maker, Preservative Filler Machine Operator, Produce Wrapper, Production Packager, Punchboard Filling Machine Operator, Rack Room Worker, Rim Fire Priming Operator, Rock Room Worker, Roll Finisher, Sand Slinger Operator, Sausage Canner, Sausage Stuffer, Scrap Baller, Seal Extrusion Operator, Sealer, Sealer Operator, Sealing Machine Operator, Sectionizer, Snuff Packing Machine Operator, Soft Work Wrapper Examiner, Stapling Machine Operator, Strap Machine Operator, Strapping Machine Operator, Stuffer, Stuffing Machine Operator, Tank Filler, Tape Fastener Machine Operator, Tea Bag Packer, Tobacco Packing Machine Operator, Tobacco Wrapping Machine Tender, Toy Stuffer, Tracer Bullet Charging Machine Operator, Tray Casting Machine Operator, Tying Machine Operator, Vacuum Closing Machine Operator, Vegetable Canner, Warehouse Associate, Wrapper Layer, Wrapping Machine Operator, Yeast Cutting and Wrapping Machine Operator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Monitoring
Active Listening
Coordination
Operation and Control
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Equipment Maintenance
Quality Control Analysis
Time Management
Speaking

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (79.69% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

36,850–49,070 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9111.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (79.69% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders