How much does a packer and packager make?
The median packer and packager in the United States earns $35,580 per year, about $17.10 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all packers and packagers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-7064.
Packer and packager salary range
Pay for packers and packagers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,050 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $46,260. The average (mean) wage of $36,600 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,050 | $13.01 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $31,470 | $15.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $35,580 | $17.10 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $40,960 | $19.69 | |
| 90th percentile | $46,260 | $22.24 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for packers and packagers, hand (SOC 53-7064), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Packer and packager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Packers and packagers earn the most in New Jersey at $42,770 a year, and the least in Florida at $27,490. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $42,770 | 76,060 |
| Alaska | $40,360 | 710 |
| District of Columbia | $40,210 | N/A |
| Colorado | $39,000 | 4,910 |
| Vermont | $38,740 | 750 |
| Indiana | $38,640 | 13,390 |
| Minnesota | $38,550 | 5,520 |
| Nevada | $38,530 | 4,760 |
| Nebraska | $37,930 | 3,670 |
| Maine | $37,660 | 1,480 |
| Arizona | $37,380 | 7,890 |
| Ohio | $37,000 | 19,660 |
| Missouri | $36,850 | 8,480 |
| Wisconsin | $36,820 | 13,560 |
| Kentucky | $36,760 | 5,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,670 | 24,490 |
| California | $36,550 | 85,380 |
| Washington | $36,340 | 15,510 |
| Illinois | $36,280 | 25,750 |
| Idaho | $36,250 | 2,320 |
| New York | $36,150 | 15,600 |
| Michigan | $35,950 | 13,240 |
| Kansas | $35,660 | 5,440 |
| Iowa | $35,650 | 4,200 |
| Connecticut | $35,630 | 4,760 |
| Virginia | $35,590 | 7,640 |
| Oregon | $35,490 | 5,990 |
| Utah | $35,430 | 7,020 |
| Delaware | $35,230 | 1,990 |
| Maryland | $35,100 | 6,050 |
| Tennessee | $34,320 | 14,080 |
| Hawaii | $34,150 | 2,280 |
| Massachusetts | $34,110 | 18,430 |
| Montana | $34,040 | 1,070 |
| Rhode Island | $33,560 | 2,300 |
| North Carolina | $33,400 | 24,230 |
| West Virginia | $33,110 | 790 |
| Arkansas | $32,740 | 3,790 |
| Georgia | $32,650 | 19,700 |
| Oklahoma | $32,610 | 3,570 |
| New Hampshire | $31,820 | 4,190 |
| Mississippi | $31,730 | 4,210 |
| Texas | $31,210 | 51,180 |
| South Carolina | $30,830 | 7,200 |
| New Mexico | $29,750 | 1,100 |
| South Dakota | $29,750 | 1,240 |
| North Dakota | $28,480 | 550 |
| Wyoming | $28,280 | 340 |
| Louisiana | $27,900 | 2,680 |
| Alabama | $27,690 | 7,150 |
| Florida | $27,490 | 39,360 |
State median wages for packers and packagers, hand (SOC 53-7064), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for packers and packagers
The BLS projects employment of packers and packagers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 555,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 528,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 61,800 openings a year for packers and packagers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a packer and packager
The typical entry-level education for packers and packagers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a packer and packager earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $42,770) and the lowest (Florida, $27,490) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 601,440 people work as packers and packagers in the United States. At $35,580 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Packer and packager salary FAQ
How much does a packer and packager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a packer and packager is $17.10. The middle half of packers and packagers earn between $15.13 and $19.69 per hour.
What is the highest packer and packager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of packers and packagers earn more than $46,260 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a packer and packager make a year?
The median annual salary for a packer and packager is $35,580. The average (mean) wage of $36,600 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a packer and packager a well paid job?
At $35,580 a year, a packer and packager earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 601,440 people work as packers and packagers in the United States.
Which state pays packers and packagers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for packers and packagers at $42,770 a year. Alaska ($40,360) and District of Columbia ($40,210) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a packer and packager a good career?
Employment of packers and packagers is projected to shrink 5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 61,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a packer and packager?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for packers and packagers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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