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Cardboard Baler Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

✨Baler Operator✨

Conroe, TX

$13.50 - $16.75/hr

... focused Baler Operator to join our Production team. In this role, you'll help maintain a clean ... Collect and process paper, cardboard, and plastic waste from production lines * Operate balers and ...

✨Baler Operator✨

Conroe, TX

$13.50 - $16.75/hr

... focused Baler Operator to join our Production team. In this role, you'll help maintain a clean ... Collect and process paper, cardboard, and plastic waste from production lines * Operate balers and ...

Morning Crew 2 PT

Mount Shasta, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $17.90/hr

Cardboard Baler Operator: * Load and compress cardboard into the baler. * Bind bales when the baler is full. * Follow safety protocols when operating the baler. * Follow safety procedures when moving ...

Evening Crew 2 PT

Mount Shasta, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $17.90/hr

Cardboard Baler Operator: * Load and compress cardboard into the baler. * Bind bales when the baler is full. * Follow safety protocols when operating the baler. * Follow safety procedures when moving ...

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Cardboard Baler Operator information

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$7

$16

$21

How much do cardboard baler operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for cardboard baler operator in the United States is $16.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paid machine operator?

Among machine operators, those working as crane or heavy equipment operators tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $60,000 annually. Cardboard baler operators typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 per year, depending on experience and location. Specialized skills, certifications, and working in industrial or manufacturing environments can influence pay rates for machine operators.

How much does a baler make?

A cardboard baler operator typically earns between $12 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the employer. The annual salary can range from approximately $25,000 to $40,000. Skilled operators with certifications or experience in industrial settings may earn higher wages.

What is the difference between Cardboard Baler Operator vs Forklift Operator?

AspectCardboard Baler OperatorForklift Operator
CredentialsTypically requires OSHA certification and on-the-job trainingRequires forklift certification and OSHA training
Work EnvironmentIndoor recycling or manufacturing facilities, operating baling equipmentWarehouses, distribution centers, loading docks, operating forklifts
Industry UsageRecycling, manufacturing, waste managementLogistics, warehousing, manufacturing
Job FocusCompressing and binding cardboard into balesMoving and stacking pallets and goods

The main difference between a Cardboard Baler Operator and a Forklift Operator lies in their specific tasks and equipment. The Cardboard Baler Operator focuses on operating baling machines to compress cardboard, while the Forklift Operator handles moving materials with forklifts. Both roles require OSHA certification and are common in industrial settings, but their daily duties and equipment differ significantly.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

A Cardboard Baler Operator typically earns between $15 and $25 per hour, which equates to roughly $600 to $1,000 weekly, so earning $4,000 a week without a degree is uncommon in this role. High-paying jobs that can reach or exceed $4,000 weekly without a degree often include skilled trades like commercial truck driving, certain sales positions, or specialized construction work, especially with experience or certifications. These roles usually require on-the-job training, licenses, or certifications rather than formal degrees.

Is being a packaging operator hard?

As a cardboard baler operator, the job involves operating machinery to compress and bind cardboard for recycling or disposal, which requires attention to safety procedures and some physical effort. The role typically involves standing for long periods and handling heavy materials, but it generally does not require advanced technical skills or extensive training beyond safety certifications. Overall, it can be straightforward for individuals comfortable with manual work and following instructions.
More about Cardboard Baler Operator jobs
Infographic showing various Cardboard Baler Operator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $33,479 per year, or $16.1 per hour.
Baler - Sidney

$16/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 15 days ago


Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

268th of 710 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

Do you have a desire to work for an organization driven by empowerment and full inclusion? Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley is one of the largest employers in the region; with the mission to empower those with disadvantages and disabilities to improve their quality of life. We employ over 600 associates just in our retail stores alone. GESMV also offers over 40 programs and services to the community ranging from job readiness programs to assistive technology services. We offer part-time and full-time positions, with a variety of schedules and hours available. We are always looking for driven, enthusiastic people to join our team.
Summary
To provide bales of textiles to be sold in the salvage market and bale cardboard.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  1. Operates baler to prepare 1200 - 1500 pound bales for shipment.
  2. Hand-load baler when necessary.
  3. Bands and weighs bales.
  4. Keeps a record of bale weights.
  5. Model excellent customer service both internally and externally.
  6. Effectively utilize email and telephone, if applicable, to ensure communications are read and responded to in an appropriate timeframe.
  7. Other duties may be assigned.
  8. Comply with all Agency policies, procedures and safety standards throughout work areas and maintain same to meet CARF, HIPAA, Department of Labor and other regulatory standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Education Requirements
High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) preferred but not required.
Experience Requirements
Experience operating a baling machine and counter-balance scale preferred.
Qualifications
  • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must maintain the ability to pass a criminal background check and random drug screens.

Skills & Abilities
  1. Ability to operate baling machine.
  2. Ability to operate counter-balance scale to weigh bales.
  3. Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
  4. Ability to read or understand safety features/instructions.

Physical Demands
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job and/or apply for the position, absent undue hardship.This job description is not to be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform additional job- related tasks as assigned, subject to reasonable accommodation.
Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, disability status, protected veteran status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, or any other classification protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all employment decisions, including, but not limited to recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations.

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