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Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 1,693 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

Almost none of this job's tasks are the kind AI can help with or automate.

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Very similar work
    +26% pay191 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 26% more—$50,811 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Quality Control Analysis
  • Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

    Very similar work
    +7% pay32 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 7% more—$43,096 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Operations Monitoring

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
  • Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Very similar work
    +24% pay139 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 24% more—$50,043 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Very similar work
    +14% pay231 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$45,680 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Very similar work
    +18% pay45 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$47,350 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Near Vision
    • Control Precision
    • Perceptual Speed
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Similar work
    +34% pay195 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 34% more—$54,006 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

    Similar work
    +20% pay31 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 20% more—$48,321 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Production and Processing
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Operations Monitoring

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Similar work
    +48% pay72 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 48% more—$59,412 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
  • Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

    Similar work
    +11% pay116 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 11% more—$44,721 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Similar work
    +25% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 25% more—$50,412 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Near Vision

    New skills to build

    • Operation and Control
  • Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

    Somewhat similar work
    +17% pay185 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 17% more—$46,989 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Control Precision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Near Vision
    • Mechanical

    New skills to build

    • Design
    • Fine Arts
  • Machine Feeders and Offbearers

    Somewhat similar work
    +10% pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 10% more—$44,400 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Control Precision
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Mechanical

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Packers and Packagers, Hand

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay1,895 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$38,077 vs your $40,228 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Production and Processing
    • Near Vision
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Oral Comprehension

    Your current skills largely cover this move.