Occupation salary profile

Packers and Packagers, Hand

SOC 53-7064 BLS OEWS May 2025

Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

National median · BLS
$36,280
▲ +1.97% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$37,540
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
559,820
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted) Loading…
Most jobs Loading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted) Loading…

Check your salary

Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Packers and Packagers, Hand

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$27,890
25th$32,220
Median (50th)$36,280
75th$43,060
90th — top pay$47,100

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

Type in either box; the other updates instantly.

Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Packers and Packagers, Hand

BLS projects employment of packers and packagers, hand to decline 5% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 61,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
555,500 → 528,000
-27,500 jobs
Projected change
-5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
61,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
1.1% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need no formal education →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Packers and Packagers, Hand

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Monitoring3.0
  • Active Listening2.8
  • Critical Thinking2.8
  • Coordination2.6
  • Reading Comprehension2.6
  • Speaking2.6
  • Judgment and Decision Making2.3
  • Quality Control Analysis2.3
  • Time Management2.3
  • Active Learning2.1
Top knowledge areas
  • Production and Processing4.0
  • Customer and Personal Service3.2
  • English Language3.0
  • Administrative2.8
  • Mathematics2.7
  • Public Safety and Security2.7
  • Mechanical2.6
  • Computers and Electronics2.6
Software and technology used
Autodesk AutoCADMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordSAP softwareInventory tracking software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What packers and packagers, hand do

  • Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.
  • Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.
  • Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.
  • Seal containers or materials, using glues, fasteners, nails, and hand tools.
  • Assemble, line, and pad cartons, crates, and containers, using hand tools.
  • Obtain, move, and sort products, materials, containers, and orders, using hand tools.
  • Mark and label containers, container tags, or products, using marking tools.
  • Clean containers, materials, supplies, or work areas, using cleaning solutions and hand tools.
Also called
BaggerPackagerPackerSelector PackerCraterMini ShifterPack Out OperatorPackaging SpecialistPicker and PackerSacker
More job titles for this occupation (80)
Agricultural Produce PackerAmpoule SealerApple Packing HeaderBag FillerBag LoaderBag SealerBand ShoverBandoleer PackerBarrel FillerBatt PackerBin FillerBinder and Wrapper PackerBook PackerBottling Line AttendantBox Order PersonBox PackerBoxerBulb PackerBulk FillerBulkerBundle PackerBundle PersonBundle TierBundle WrapperBundlerBurlap Roll CovererBurlapperButter WrapperCaddy PackerCake PackerCake WrapperCan Top SetterCandy PackerCard BoxerCarrier PackerCarton WrapperCase FillerCase FolderCase LinerCase PackerCase SealerCaserCellophane WorkerCellophanerCheese WrapperCigar PackerCigar WrapperCitrus Fruit PackerCloth Bolt BanderCloth PackerContainer FillerCooky PackerCore LoaderCrate LinerCrucible PackerCube Machine TenderCuring Pickling PackerDental Floss PackerEgg CaserEgg CraterEgg PackerElectric Blanket PackerExport PackerFancy PackerFish Egg PackerFish PackerFoil WrapperFolderFood PackerFruit PackerFurniture CraterFurniture PackerGift Basket PackerGift PackerGift WrapperGlove WrapperGold Leaf LaborerGrain PackerGrain SackerGrocery Bagger

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.