How to become a paper products machine operator
Official title: Paper products machine operators
Also called: Machine operator (cardboard products), Machine operator (envelope and paper bag production), Machine operator (paper box production), Paper products machine operator, Papier maché moulder
Paper products machine operators monitor and operate machines which produce boxes, envelopes, bags and other goods from paper, paperboard, cardboard and similar materials.
Main tasks
- Operating and monitoring machines which glue paper to cardboard, cut it to the required length or cut and crease cardboard or paperboard to form box blanks
- Operating and monitoring pressing machines which form drinking cups or other containers from paper, paperboard or cardboard
- Operating and monitoring machines which cut, fold and glue paper to make envelopes and paper bags, or which form bags from other similar material
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: HK$20,000 a month
- About 387,500 people in 2025, and about 403,200 projected by 2028. (+4.1%)
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
Do you need a degree to become a paper products machine operator?
Usually not. Only 10% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a paper products machine operator?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
- Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
- Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026