Prevailing Wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Prevailing wage rules for Corrugator Operator roles fall under SOC 51-9196, covering positions from Cup Room Technician to Paper Machine Backtender. DOL sets four experience-based wage levels, and the floor for each level shifts considerably by city. Knowing which level applies to your offer is the first step in evaluating a sponsored position.
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Level 1 covers entry-level Corrugator Operator roles with limited experience, typically under two years. Workers at this level perform routine tasks under close supervision, follow established procedures, and have not yet developed independent judgment on machine setup or troubleshooting.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Corrugator Operator positions. It applies to workers with a few years of hands-on experience who can operate and adjust paper goods machinery with moderate supervision and handle standard production variations without escalating every issue.
Level 3 covers experienced operators who work largely independently, troubleshoot equipment problems, and may train newer staff. These workers bring several years of demonstrated proficiency across multiple machine types or converting processes and require minimal day-to-day supervisory oversight.
Level 4 applies to fully competent Corrugator Operator or Folder Machine Operator roles with lead or senior scope. Workers at this level set quality standards, resolve complex mechanical issues, coordinate production schedules, and may supervise a shift or team of operators.
Prevailing Wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Corrugator Operator and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite city before comparing wages
Paper goods and packaging plants are concentrated in specific industrial metros. The prevailing wage floor for a Corrugator Operator in Cedar Rapids or Longview differs substantially from one in El Paso or San Juan. Always confirm the physical worksite address listed on the LCA, not the employer's headquarters.
Watch for title mismatches that shift your SOC
Employers sometimes post Folder Machine Operator or Gluer Operator roles under a broader production or manufacturing SOC, which can carry a different prevailing wage floor. Confirm that your offer letter title and the LCA both reference SOC 51-9196 to ensure the correct wage level applies.
Account for shift differentials excluded from the wage floor
Night-shift and weekend premiums are common in paper goods manufacturing, but DOL counts only base hourly wages toward prevailing wage compliance. Bonuses tied to attendance, production output, or signing incentives do not count. Your guaranteed base rate alone must meet or exceed the applicable level floor.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with sponsorship history
Packaging and paper products manufacturers vary widely in visa sponsorship activity. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Corrugator Operator and related roles under H-1B or other visa categories, helping you focus your search on companies already familiar with the process.
Jobs for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Corrugator OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-9196.00 alongside Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Corrugator Operator Prevailing Wage
Corrugator Operator Prevailing Wage
Corrugator Operator positions fall under SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Cup Room Technician Prevailing Wage
Cup Room Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Cup Room Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Folder Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Folder Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Folder Machine Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Gluer Operator Prevailing Wage
Gluer Operator Prevailing Wage
Gluer Operator positions fall under SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Paper Cutter Operator Prevailing Wage
Paper Cutter Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Paper Cutter Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Paper Machine Backtender Prevailing Wage
Paper Machine Backtender Prevailing Wage
Paper Machine Backtender is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Paper Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Paper Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Paper Machine Operator positions fall under SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Stitching Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Stitching Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Stitching Machine Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9196.00 (Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for a Corrugator Operator role?
DOL derives prevailing wages from Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metro areas nationwide. For SOC 51-9196, OFLC assigns four wage levels based on those regional survey results. The employer must request a prevailing wage determination from OFLC or use published OES data before certifying a Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified workers performing standard duties with moderate oversight. Level 3 covers experienced operators working independently. Level 4 applies to fully competent or lead roles. Your level is determined by the actual job duties, supervision structure, and experience requirements in the position description, not your personal years of experience alone.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Corrugator Operator role vary so much by city?
OFLC bases wages on regional OES survey data, which captures what employers in each metro area actually pay for a given occupation. Labor markets in Cedar Rapids or Bridgeport differ structurally from those in El Paso or San Juan, producing different floors. The LCA requires the employer to list the actual worksite address, so the wage level is tied to where the work is physically performed, not where the company is incorporated.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
For H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visas, the employer must certify on the LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage. If the offer falls short, USCIS can issue a Request for Evidence or deny the petition. For PERM-based green card cases, DOL can reject the application during audit. The employer bears the compliance obligation, but a below-floor offer is a signal worth raising before signing.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Corrugator Operator position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up SOC 51-9196 by metro area and wage level. You can also review recent LCA filings in the OFLC disclosure data to see what wages employers have certified for Paper Goods Machine Setters roles in your target city. O*NET provides the official occupation profile and job zone classification for additional context.
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