Packaging and Filling Machine Operators
Packaging and filling machine operators run machines to produce or wrap products.
Packaging and filling machine operators create a variety of products. For example, they stuff sausage meat into casings, add potato chips to bags, or put plastic wrap around rolls of paper towels.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators are in the Manufacturing career cluster and the Production pathway.
Quick Facts
Wages: |
Below the statewide median
$14.02 / hour Read more about wages |
Outlook: |
Percent Growth
4% Below statewide average Read more about outlook |
Education & Training: |
Short-term on-the-job training (1 month or less) is common. |
On the Job: |
Work Activities
Assess your skills |
Job Title Examples: |
Adjuster/Packer,
Chemical Operator,
Filler Operator
See more job title examples |
Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.
Wages & Outlook
Wages
Wages vary by employer, type of machine being operated, and type of product being packaged.
Packaging and filling machine operators who work full time often receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.
View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:
Employment
In Minnesota, about 8,362 packaging and filling machine operators work in this medium-sized occupation.
Major employers:
- Temporary worker agencies
- Fruit and vegetable processors
- Drug manufacturers
- Meat products processors
- Beverage manufacturers
Outlook
The largest number of job openings will be for temporary workers. Many jobs are temporary because companies prefer to hire workers for short periods of time. This way the company can hire people for busy periods and not pay workers when they are not needed. Temporary workers may package many different types of products. New jobs will also be available for those who package meat products. The drug packaging industry will also have many new jobs for packaging and filling machine operators.
In contrast, the number of jobs for those who package beverages will decrease. Despite the decline in the number of jobs in these areas, openings will arise as current workers leave this occupation.
| Employment | Employment Change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2020 | Number | Percent | |
| U S | 337,200 | 350,100 | 12,800 | 3.8% |
| Minnesota | 9,078 | 9,439 | 361 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2020 | Number | Percent | |
| Central Minnesota | 1,101 | 1,182 | 81 | 7.4% |
| Northeast Minnesota | 135 | 133 | -2 | -1.5% |
| Northwest Minnesota | 627 | 670 | 43 | 6.9% |
| Southeast Minnesota | 1,318 | 1,295 | -23 | -1.7% |
| Southwest Minnesota | 960 | 1,000 | 40 | 4.2% |
| Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN | 4,848 | 5,079 | 231 | 4.8% |
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.
On the Job
Overview
Packaging and filling machine operators run machines to produce or wrap products.
The Jelly Belly Candy Company, located in Wisconsin and maker of the famous Jelly Belly jelly beans, can make 100,000 pounds of Jelly Belly beans per day. That's 50 tons of jelly beans, in just one day! This translates to 347 beans a second. Where do all these beans go? Before they go to the customer, they first have to be packaged up and shipped. This is where packaging and filling machine operators come in.Packaging and filling machine operators create a variety of products. For example, they stuff sausage meat into casings, add potato chips to bags, or put plastic wrap around rolls of paper towels. Operators use different machines for these and many other products. Regardless of the type of machine operators run, they have several tasks in common.
Machine operators make sure they have packaging materials and a supply of items to be packaged. Then they start the machines and adjust controls as needed. For example, they adjust the speed of machines and the amount of product added to packages. For some machines, operators control when packaging material, such as plastic wrap, is cut.
Packaging and filling machine operators observe machines to make sure they are operating properly. When items become jammed in machines, operators remove them. Once items are packaged, operators remove them from machines and stack them in cartons or containers. While doing this, they inspect the output. For example, they weigh potato chip bags to make sure they hold the right amount of chips. When they find items where the packaging is torn, irregular, or does not otherwise meet requirements, operators set those products aside. Operators may add identification labels to items and secure finished packages by hand.
Some operators keep records of the number of items they package each day. They may also record the number of finished items they rejected. They may code items by date if they are perishable. In addition to their other tasks, operators maintain their machines. They clean and oil them and make minor repairs. They must also follow strict sanitation procedures, especially when handling food items.
Work Activities
The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.
- Operate mechanisms to cut filler products or packaging materials.
- Remove packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
- Adjust machine controls to change speed or amount of product released.
- Check stock of materials to be packaged or filled.
- Check stock of packaging materials.
- Start machine by engaging controls.
- Stop or reset machine when malfunctions occur and clear machine jams.
- Inspect products to determine if they meet standards.
- Clean, oil, and make minor repairs to machinery and equipment.
- Stack packaged items or pack them in cartons or containers.
- Count and record finished and rejected packaged items.
- Attach identification labels to finished items.
People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.
- Control machines and processes.
- Handle and move objects.
- Inspect equipment, structures, or materials.
- Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
- Identify objects, actions, and events.
- Perform activities that use the whole body.
- Get information needed to do the job.
- Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
- Make decisions and solve problems.
- Evaluate information against standards.
- Process information.
- Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed.
- Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
- Update and use job-related knowledge.
- Document and record information.
- Analyze data or information.
- Coordinate the work and activities of others.
Working Conditions
In a typical work setting, people in this career:
- Have a medium level of social contact. They usually work with others.
- Are responsible for coworkers' health and safety.
- Are responsible for work outcomes and results of other workers. They monitor production, and inspect products to determine if they meet standards.
- Communicate with coworkers daily in person.
- Work in a group or as part of a team.
- Almost always work indoors. They may work in warehouses without heat or air conditioning.
- Are exposed to hazardous equipment daily.
- Are exposed to contaminants on a daily basis. Packaging and filling machine operators can reduce the risk by following safety procedures.
- Are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable on a daily basis.
- Always wear protective or safety attire.
- Are frequently exposed to hazardous conditions, such as high voltage electricity.
- Are often exposed to hazardous situations that may produce cuts or minor burns.
- Work near coworkers. They may share work space, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.
- Must be exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger coworkers.
- Must allow the work pace to be set by the speed of the equipment or machinery.
- Repeat the same physical activities, such as stacking finished packaged items.
- Make decisions on a weekly basis that strongly impact coworkers. They consult supervisors for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
- Are able to set some tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor.
- Are often required to meet strict deadlines. They usually keep records of the number of items they package each day.
- Generally work a standard 40 hour week.
- May work eight- or ten-hour shifts.
Interpersonal Relationships
Physical Work Conditions
Work Performance
Hours/Travel
Physical Demands
In a typical work setting, people in this career:
- Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Stand for long periods of time.
- Repeat the same motions.
- Bend or twist their body.
- Walk or run for long periods of time.
- See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
- Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
- Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
- Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
- Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
- Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
- Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
- Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
- Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
- Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
- Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
- See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
- Understand the speech of another person.
- React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
- Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
- Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
- Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
- See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
- Move arms and legs quickly.
- Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
- Determine the distance between objects.
- Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
- Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
- Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
People in this career frequently:
It is important for people in this career to be able to:
It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:
Source: Minnesota Department of Education.
Education & Training
Preparation
To work as a packaging and filling machine operator, you typically need to:
- have a high school diploma or GED; and
- complete moderate-term on-the-job training.
Education after high school
No formal education is required for this job beyond high school.
On-the-job training
Packaging and filling machine operators usually receive training on the job from experienced workers. Training may last up to one year.
Helpful High School Courses
You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.
Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:
- Physical Education
- Safety and First Aid
The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.
You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.
Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.
Source: Minnesota Department of Education.
Skills
People in this career need to:
- Express ideas clearly when speaking.
- Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
- Read and understand written information.
- Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
- Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
- Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
- Check how well one is learning or doing something.
- Manage the time of self and others.
- Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
- Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Test and inspect products, services, or processes. Evaluate quality or performance.
- Operate and control equipment.
- Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
- Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
- Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
Communicate
Reason and Problem Solve
Use Math and Science
Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things
Work with People
Work with Things
Perceive and Visualize
Knowledge
People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:
- Production and Processing: Knowledge of how products are made and supplied.
- Mechanical: Knowledge of designing, using, and repairing machines and tools.
Interests
People in this career are people who tend to:
- Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.
- Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
- Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Source: Minnesota Department of Education.
Tools & Technology for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Tools
Adjustable wrenches
| Power drills
|
Technology
Data base user interface and query software
| Spreadsheet software |
Licensing / Certification
Certification Details
Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.
There are 2 certifications related to this career.
Licensing Details
No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.
Jobs
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Hiring Practices
Employers prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma or GED. They may also prefer applicants who have experience with small machine repairs.
Some employers will hire packaging and filling machine operators who do not have any experience. Other employers prefer to hire packaging and filling machine operators who have up to 12 months of experience.
Advancement Opportunities
Packaging and filling machine operators who have good people skills can become supervisors. Others learn to operate more difficult machines. They may receive higher wages for operating these machines.
Job Title Examples
Adjuster/Packer, Chemical Operator, Filler Operator, Pressman, A-Operator, Fabrication Technician, Machine Operator
Similar Careers
Below are careers similar to Packaging and Filling Machine Operators you may be interested in reading about.
If you are looking to broaden your job search,
these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.
Bookbinders and Bindery Workers
Material Moving Machine Operators
Metal and Plastic Processing Workers
Sewing Machine Operators
Related Industries
Below are industries related to Packaging and Filling Machine Operators you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.
Business Management And Support Services
Chemicals, Drugs, And Chemical Products
Food Products
Paper Products
Printing
Rubber And Plastic Products
Toys, Sporting Goods, And Other Products
Transportation Support And Warehousing
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.
