Paper Processing Workers

Even though the demand for paper products is increasing, employment at pulp, paper, and paperboard mills is expected to decline by more than 24 percent by 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Perhaps the most important reason for the decreasing number of jobs is the trend toward computerization. As the industry has increasingly used technology to run the pulp and papermaking process, the need for workers has decreased.

Employment prospects in this industry are better for college-educated individuals with scientific or technical backgrounds. Most of the jobs lost in the mechanization of the industry have been those that require semiskilled or skilled laborers. Opportunities in marketing may also be good, due to the expansion of the international paper market and the push for new product development. Finally, the growing demand for recycled paper products may create job opportunities in recycling collection and recycled paper distribution.