As of June 2026, Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders has an AI-exposure score of 45/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

45/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 22% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$50,270. About 8,100 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Production roles

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (you)
45
Butchers and Meat Cutters
45
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
45
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
45
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
46
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
44
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (100%).

Augmentable
  • Stamp products with information such as dates, using hand stamps or automatic stamping devices.
  • Observe operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.
  • Monitor finished cartons as they drop from forming machines into rotating hoppers and into gravity feed chutes to prevent jamming.
  • Examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders, and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
  • 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.
  • Fill glue and paraffin reservoirs, and position rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard.
  • Lift tote boxes of finished cartons, and dump cartons into feed hoppers.
  • Place rolls of paper or cardboard on machine feed tracks, and thread paper through gluing, coating, and slitting rollers.
  • Install attachments to machines for gluing, folding, printing, or cutting.
  • Measure, space, and set saw blades, cutters, and perforators, according to product specifications.
  • Remove finished cores, and stack or place them on conveyors for transfer to other work areas.
  • Adjust guide assemblies, forming bars, and folding mechanisms according to specifications, using hand tools.
  • Cut products to specified dimensions, using hand or power cutters.
  • Disassemble machines to maintain, repair, or replace broken or worn parts, using hand or power tools.
Durable

No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (100%).

Safer adjacent roles

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
80% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$46,460
52
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
72% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$46,570
53
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
64% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$38,760
49
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
48% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$41,220
51
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$46,330
46
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$45,760
55
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$43,380
41

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.