Also called: Paper Engineer, Paper Mill Process Engineer
Keeps giant paper mills running efficiently, turning wood chips into paper, cardboard and tissue.
A paper machine can be as long as a football field and run paper at 60 miles an hour. You watch data from hundreds of sensors, figure out why sheets are breaking and test new recipes for stronger, lighter cardboard. Some days you're in the control room, others crawling around a steamy machine with a flashlight.
Based on BLS chemical engineer wages; paper scholarships and co-ops are common.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in chemical engineering or paper science and engineering (NC State, Miami University, Western Michigan).
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemical Engineering, Paper Science & Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). About average growth for chemical engineers; many paper engineers are retiring.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI-driven controls optimize mills; engineers still solve upsets and lead upgrades, though fewer mills are hiring.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, AP Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2041.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.