Packers and Packagers
O*NET title: Packers and Packagers, Hand
Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.
Also called: Agricultural Produce Packer, Ampoule Sealer, Apple Packing Header, Bag Filler, Bag Loader, Bag Sealer
Median pay
$36,280
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,890 – $47,100
People employed
559,820
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Packers and Packagers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What packers and packagers do
- 01Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.
- 02Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.
- 03Remove completed or defective products or materials, placing them on moving equipment, such as conveyors, or in specified areas, such as loading docks.
- 04Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.
- 05Seal containers or materials, using glues, fasteners, nails, and hand tools.
- 06Assemble, line, and pad cartons, crates, and containers, using hand tools.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from packers and packagers
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders85% · +19%
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products85% · −2%
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping83% · +28%
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers81% · −4%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders80% · +39%
Change into packers and packagers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products85% · $35,730
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers84% · $34,890
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers82% · $38,300
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders82% · $43,220
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers80% · $40,130