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Job outlook for package designers in the United States
Are package designer jobs in demand?
Package designer job and salary trends over time
Package designer jobs over time
Package designer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 609 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 601 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 645 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 650 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 648 | 0.00% |
Average package designer salary over time
Package designer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,273 | $25.13 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $51,030 | $24.53 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $49,326 | $23.71 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $47,690 | $22.93 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $46,652 | $22.43 | +1.6% |
Package designer jobs by state
Most common states for package designers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 225 | 32% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 913 | 13% |
| 3 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 911 | 12% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 497 | 12% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 948 | 11% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 146 | 11% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 543 | 10% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 127 | 10% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 104 | 10% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,493 | 9% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 803 | 9% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 276 | 9% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 58 | 9% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 854 | 8% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 501 | 8% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 440 | 8% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 277 | 8% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 254 | 8% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 79 | 8% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 73 | 8% |
Most common cities for package designers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Park | 1 | 3% | $62,177 |
| 2 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $61,910 |
| 3 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $55,070 |
| 4 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $58,487 |
| 5 | New York | 1 | 0% | $56,450 |
Package Designer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of package designer experts
University of Akron
Kean University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Ferris State University
University Of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Northern Iowa
University of Cincinnati- Clermont College
Marywood University
Mississippi College
Angelina College
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University
Art Academy of Cincinnati
University of Washington
Albion College
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Louisiana State University and A&M College
Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas State University
University of Dubuque
What general advice would you give to a Package Designer?
David Flynn: Everything that you see has been touched by a designer. The field is expanding with technology, but basic communication design principals remain paramount. It doesn’t matter if it’s a newspaper ad or a social post, you must have a professional that knows how to communicate a message, move the viewer's eye, and make the point. Designers work in every company and in every industry, worldwide.
What Package Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Denise Anderson: The skills graphic designers will need is learn artificial intelligence software AND how to masterfully use it. The masses will tinker with the new technology but designers need to harness the power of it and use their learned skills of ideation, art direction, and image manipulation skills (Photoshop). What they also need to develop is their storytelling skills which will help them with art directing and creating AI images.
What will help Package Designers increase their earning potential?
Allen Garcie MFA: On the technical side, software is always evolving so skills related to this are always important. However, I think keeping up with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) is going to be most important for designers over the next 3 to 5 years. This is an area that's already changing the design field as companies like Adobe and others continue to integrate AI into their software. On the other hand, being a designer isn't all about developing technology-related skills though. I also think developing non-technical skills like creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are extremely important for any designer.
What are the best companies to work for a Package Designer?
Patrick Klarecki: The Printing and Packaging Industry has had a strong history of employing college graduates each year. In my 28 years as faculty/administrator for the Graphic Communication and Graphic Media Management degrees, we have always had 3-6 jobs available for each of our graduates. Even through the 2008 economy, we were able to celebrate full employment for our graduates.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Package Designers to find work opportunities?
Patrick Klarecki: Graduates in May 2020 and December 2020 did not see the opportunities their previous alumni did. We were able to place only about 25% of our graduates. There are a couple that have offers of employment "When things get better."
What type of skills will young Package Designers need?
Patrick Klarecki: Recent projections from the Printing United Alliance show business owners are optimistic about 2021 and see their needs returning to "Pre-COVID" levels by the end of 2021 or early 2022. The workforce in our industry continues to age, technology continues to evolve, and young minds' needs will prevail.
Dak Kopec Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design ProgramUniversity Of Nevada, Las Vegas
School of Architecture
What Package Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dak Kopec Ph.D.: 1. have a great portfolio demonstrating your design skills’ diversity of design abilities. I.e., show you how you can create designs that are historic, contemporary, and cutting-edge. 2. Demonstrate your ability to think critically and apply information. While AI will soon be able to take over the graphical representation of the design, it is unlikely that it will be able to use critical thinking and deductive reasoning. 3. Use your interview to show your employer you have skills they don’t have in the office and those skills will get them clients. I would research their projects and website, identify a weakness, and then demonstrate in your portfolio that I have the skills to help address existing weaknesses. Once an employer sees that what you bring to the table has value, you’ll be in a better negotiation position.
Elizabeth Sutton
Department Head, Professor of Art HistoryUniversity of Northern Iowa
Department of Art
What skills will help Package Designers earn the most?
Elizabeth Sutton: It's not about money. It's about liking what you do and making enough to meet you and your family's needs.... in any case, some of our Graphic Designers do very well when they add a Marketing minor from the College of Business.
What skills stand out on Package Designer resumes?
Elizabeth Sutton: What really stands out is the quality of the student's portfolios and that they have client-based real-world experience.
What soft skills should all Package Designers possess?
Elizabeth Sutton: There are many--the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively is absolutely necessary. The ability to ask for feedback and be able to take that feedback and incorporate it into a process is very important. Of course, meeting deadlines is also very important.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Package Designers?
Elizabeth Sutton: We train our students in Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator.
Dr. Andy Curran
Professor, Area CoordinatorUniversity of Cincinnati- Clermont College
Digital Media Communications
What soft skills should all Package Designers possess?
Dr. Andy Curran: -Creative skills
-Problem solving
-Communication (written & verbal)
-Project management (personnel, budgeting, time, resources)
What hard/technical skills are most important for Package Designers?
Dr. Andy Curran: -File management
-Computer literacy skills
-Software proficiency
What skills will help Package Designers earn the most?
Dr. Andy Curran: Creative skills, particularly knowing how to craft an appropriate message for each project.
Sue Jenkins
Associate ProfessorMarywood University
Art Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
Sue Jenkins: It might be too soon to tell. At Marywood U., 97% of 2019 grads are employed or going to grad school, but we don't have figures yet for the class of 2020. What we have seen since March 2020 is an increase in remote internships and employment opportunities. This COVID-adaptive type of flexibility will likely influence how employers hire and retain designers in the post-COVID world.
What type of skills will young Package Designers need?
Sue Jenkins: A strong understanding of the Principles and Elements of Art and Design, killer typography skills, an understanding of color theory, some training in sociology and psychology to gain a better understanding of user experience, creative and critical thinking skills, attention to details, a strong conceptual framework that supports the project goals, the ability to speak up, take critical feedback and be a team player, and above all the courage to be authentic and bring something fresh to the table.
What experience really stands out on Package Designer resumes?
Sue Jenkins: Before saying what stands out most, there's one thing to avoid; those skill self-assessment bar graphs that take up too much real estate and don't provide the reader with valid, useful data. A better solution is to list skills and proficiency in years, such as Adobe Photoshop, three years.
Now, what stands out most on a resume is evidence of creative engagement beyond the classroom. Has the student been a member of any clubs? Won any awards? Have you participated in any solo or group exhibitions and completed any internships, pro bono, or freelance work? Have you worked on any side projects? Run an Etsy, Society6, or RedBubble account? Sold any commissioned work? Definitely include all these types of activities along with any tangible outcomes and achievements, like "Designed a series of digital documents that downsized paper waste and reduced the client's carbon footprint by 13%." Results-oriented statements provide a better sense of the designer's understanding of their role and their value to an organization.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
Benjamin Ivey: I think evolution will be the continuity barrier to positivity. The coronavirus has given us a take-home lesson that leads to an emerging educational experience, but it's not without fault. No education is worth anything unless it can defend itself. It will be a lifetime struggle, a never-ending fight. But they will understand that it is a privilege to fight.
Reginald Reynolds
ProfessorAngelina College
Design & Applied Arts/Graphic Arts/Film Production
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
Reginald Reynolds: There is value in working with vectors and bezier curves in Adobe Illustrator. Image editing in Photoshop and film/video editing in Premiere Pro, important. Skill with stills and video, important. We even have a wet-chemistry photography course. There is 3-D printing, biometrics for design and a VR component to the digital imaging courses. All important!
All of the technical courses are presented within the context of art and design. The mantra is, "we do not teach to the tools, we teach to the design problem".
What's a good job out of college for Package Designers?
Reginald Reynolds: So "What is a good job out of college?" Any job that will challenge your ability to solve design problems and pay your rent is a good job.
But most of all, communication, writing skills and the ability to interact with various personality types on projects with clients effectively can put a talented designer on the short list when job hunting.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
John Cinco: The pandemic has not really changed much in the equation of obtaining employment in graphic design.
What soft skills should all Package Designers possess?
John Cinco: Skills in software and design should also be tailored to the capabilities needed by the prospective employer. A capacity for reading into a client's unstated needs and generating innovative and well-thought-out solutions can bode well for an aspiring designer.
What general advice would you give to a Package Designer?
Abby Guido: We've all heard the buzz about networking, and there is so much buzz because it works. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is both up to date and active. Connect with all of your past professors, classmates, and anyone and everyone you meet in a professional setting. I often tell students to get into the habit of searching for any classroom guests, or guest lecturers, to connect, thank them for their time, and build their network. Share content. Write articles, or reshare those you find interesting.
Every job I have ever received in my career has been through someone else I know. I share this with students to help them see the value in relationships. I always remember the students that took the time to write a handwritten thank-you note. And I think of them when I get an email asking if I know any students are looking for work.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Package Designers in the next 3-5 years?
Abby Guido: Our field is constantly changing and adapting; sometimes it moves so fast you cannot keep up. The areas I see growing are in AR/VR and experiential design.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Package Designers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Abby Guido: Designers can be well-compensated for their work. Some design areas are more lucrative than others, which tend to be the jobs in digital design. These jobs include user-experience design, experiential design, interactive design, motion design, and all AR and VR design positions.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
Mark Thomas: I believe so. As with all professions, students graduating in the visual arts will work from home studios and offices, interface often with clients and the extended creative team remotely, not necessarily to reduce infection spread but for economic practicality and efficiency of time and space. The pandemic has in a way, compressed the world even more providing the use of electronic tools and platforms to connect effectively with people everywhere.
The ability to incorporate these tools into the creative tool box is now an expected skill. Whole industries within the economy that rely heavily on visual artists work have been decimated or radically changed by the pandemic-entertainment, restaurants, retail and travel. This will significantly change how these businesses advertise, brand or rebrand and determine marketing strategies. The new designers will need to adapt to all of these changes as they invent new methods for communicating, innovating and collaborating.
What experience really stands out on Package Designer resumes?
Mark Thomas: Experience that demonstrates a person's ability to work with others, collaboration, empathy, a willingness and desire to improve our world and the people in it. So projects that are socially driven, volunteering or work that demonstrates empathy for others.
Overall the resume needs to show an established work ethic and ability to think creatively and critically.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Package Designer job market given the pandemic?
Annabelle Gould: Communication skills, the ability to tell stories and deliver convincing messages to an audience that is fractured, skeptical and short on time and patience. This means good verbal skills as well as strong visual skills. The world is full of templates for visual design so it's easy for everything to look the same. Being able to distinguish yourself and your message while most of us are experiencing the world through a screen at home is important.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Package Designer job market given the pandemic?
Lisa TenHulzen: This is a big question. Because of the financial strains the pandemic has placed on the entertainment industry, I suspect we will see trends towards smaller cast shows as well as simpler productions, overall. I believe this will help to ease some of the financial burdens a large cast and crew can place on a theatre, as well as help ease the audience back into a sense of security. Depending on the location of the production, an audience might not feel comfortable attending a large-scale performance. Smaller shows lend themselves better to smaller audiences. All of this to say, I believe theatre jobs will be in short supply for quite some time. At least until theatres are able to make up some of the financial losses. This means hiring will be limited to core positions of production such as directors, stage managers, technical directors, designers, and only a few technicians. For smaller theatres, we will most likely see theatre artists taking on multiple jobs within the production.
What Package Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa TenHulzen: What skills need to be enhanced really depends on the area of the theatre they traditionally worked in. For makers and artisans, I would suggest pursuing any hobby or job that will continue to stretch your creative side. You do not want to go for an extended period of time without making something with your hands. The same goes for the directors and actors, but find something where you can use your creative analysis and presentation skills. Start a podcast, read new plays, make videos, etc. The skill of a theatre artist can stagnate if it is not used. Take advantage of the time you have, and pursue a personal creative project.
What general advice would you give to a Package Designer?
Lisa TenHulzen: Work hard. I don't have to tell you that being successful in the theatre business is extremely difficult, even at the best of times. Post-pandemic, I believe this will be even harder. You have to be able to push yourself to become stronger, more professional and more driven than you ever anticipated. Being in the theatre professionally is not easy, and if you expect it to be, you are in the wrong field. Even the most talented among us have to work their tails off to be successful. Pursue anything and everything that comes your way, be kind to your colleagues, and be collaborative. Understand that there are 100 more artists waiting to take your place, so treat each position with the respect it deserves. One thing that will not change post-pandemic is how small the theatre world is and how much that can help or hinder you based on the relationships you build.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Package Designer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.: COVID-19 accelerated the widespread use of e-commerce, and omnichannel retailing has never been more vital. Consumers are doing their research before purchasing a product, or even going into a brick-and-mortar store, making technology even more important in our word. People entering the job market know how to utilize different technologies to allow company operations to be more transparent and efficient. Job candidates must be comfortable with data analytics and forecasting future challenges. During times of industry disruption, job candidates with a broad knowledge of the industry, including product development and design, supply chain and sourcing, merchandising, and textile science will be more desirable.
What skills stand out on Package Designer resumes?
Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.: The retail industry is robust and requires many skills. Content and industry-related knowledge are essential, including comfort with computer applications like Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Excel. Beyond knowledge of the industry, job candidates need excellent communication skills in written and oral forms. It's also highly recommended that job candidates have work experience in their area of interest, which could include an internship, job shadow, or part-time position.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Package Designers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.: Job opportunities are everywhere in this industry. Keep an eye on your favorite brands and the location of their corporate offices. In particular, the Midwest is home to many corporate offices. There have been shifts for other offices to move to the Midwest to take advantage of its centralized location in the United States. Thus, the industry is all around us!
Mark Boyer
Director, Robert Reich School, Reich Teaching ProfessorLouisiana State University and A&M College
College of Art and Design
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
Mark Boyer: I would think that those who have gone through this experience will be changed in ways we still have yet to learn. Some of those changes will be positive (adaptability, endurance, resiliency), and some may be negative (depression, loss of family members or jobs).
What type of skills will young Package Designers need?
Mark Boyer: I don't think the skill set needed will change much from what it has been. Qualities that come to mind are: teachable, reliable, thoughtful, articulate, adaptable, engaged, critical thinker, technologically adept, able to think big and small, empathetic, and good listener.
What experience really stands out on Package Designer resumes?
Mark Boyer: I think an employer would be better to answer this question, but my speculation is that experience as an intern in an office would be important, any experience that would be in an area related to a direction the firm is going or type of projects they are pursuing. I think any type of construction or building experience would be of interest.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Package Designer job market given the pandemic?
Chris Chapin: In reflecting on the future of Product Design, several words come to mind: sustainability, inclusion, entrepreneurship, and resilience. Entrepreneurship and resilience are especially needed as graduates enter unknown territory and an unpredictable job market. Grads cannot rely on the corporate community providing a secure career start. Instead, graduates must be prepared to be the designers of their own careers, creating new opportunities for themselves that may not have previously existed. The current pandemic, with all of its new challenges, amplifies this need for self-determination, flexibility, and resilience.
In the field of Product Design, I see a growing need for personalization of products, especially in healthcare products, in order to touch people's lives in ways that are unique to them. We have a saying in the Product Design department at Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI): "Design is about changing lives for the better - Product Design is how we reach every life." So, I guess the biggest trend I see is the need for students and graduates to not be afraid to lead right away, first in their own career start and second in the meaningful use of their skills.
What Package Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chris Chapin: I would recommend they take this time to learn and practice new digital tools of the Product Design field. The expectation, once they enter the profession, is that they will already be up to speed on the tools. I advise students to research their target employers and become familiar with the ways in which they work. This pandemic period is a great opportunity for students and graduates to round out their skills, knowledge, and professional perspective via online-course offerings. There is also no guarantee that a job will be waiting for them. In which case, it is best if they are prepared to create their own career starts with a spirit of persistence and entrepreneurship.
What general advice would you give to a Package Designer?
Chris Chapin: My advice to all students and graduates is to be entrepreneurial. I define entrepreneurship as a skill set that helps us bring great design solutions to life and into the lives of those who need them. It is part business, part implementation strategy, and can manifest as a new business, as social entrepreneurship, or as intrapreneurship. In either case, it broadens career options for graduates and empowers them with the confidence and skillsets to take control of their careers.
Barbara Anderson
Professor and HeadKansas State University
Department of Interior Design and Fashion Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
Barbara Anderson: Graduating design professionals will have personal experiences with how places influence health, specifically transmitting infectious diseases. This will change their awareness and understanding of the role of environments in human health. The less obvious impact is the personal awareness we are all gaining the psychological effects of stress and how well-designed spaces can support mental health and well-being.
What type of skills will young Package Designers need?
Barbara Anderson: Technology in buildings and using technology to design buildings and communicate with teams and clients will be more critical than ever.
What experience really stands out on Package Designer resumes?
Barbara Anderson: The experiences individuals can describe on a resume are meaningful, but soft skills are most impressive in a new hire. My top two soft skills areas are communication (listening, speaking, writing, digital and analog visualization) and being productive in a team (cooperation, constructive conflict, continual personal improvement, taking responsibility, anticipating others' needs).
Alan Garfield
Chair and Professor of Digital Art and Design, Director, Bisignano Art GalleryUniversity of Dubuque
Digital Art and Design Faculty
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Package Designers?
Alan Garfield: Yes, I believe there will be an enduring impact of the pandemic on graduates, but it will diminish over time. Immediately, I think our graduates will proceed more carefully in their job searches after graduation. Will they work from home? From a central workplace? (These are questions that might have entered into the interview stage will be more pertinent given students' recent experiences.) They have learned to listen more keenly via their online discussions and projects, which will be a positive effect as they move into working with clients.
What type of skills will young Package Designers need?
Alan Garfield: Technology and creativity have always been important for graduates, but in 2020 this has become even more pressing. Creative solutions to problems involve creative use of technology but not a reliance on technology. Graduates have recently learned this thru frustration via university-level coursework during this pandemic time. Second, communication, always critical, takes on an added focus because of the technology's strengths/weaknesses. Excellent listening skills can be demonstrated easily. When an employer talks about a position, there are many ways to acknowledge what is heard. There are also ways to show that one hasn't listened to what was said. Third, demonstrating networking skills - connecting with others who do similar work - will assure the completion of tasks. Solutions via teamwork should now be a significant push by graduates.
What experience really stands out on Package Designer resumes?
Alan Garfield: Besides soft skills, which I don't think can be 'proven' on a resume, I believe that experiences that demonstrate what a candidate has done either in class or outside of the course are significant. An employer will not find a candidate who has done precisely what needs to be done in all likelihood. If there are examples - deliverables - which are somewhat close to those in the position and demonstrate timing, communication, and excellence in production, then the employer takes less of a risk. Also, merely throwing out names of software is worse than useless. It is sloppy. I believe your resume should list software/hardware (name and company) and a simple, humble measure of the applicant's level of experience in that software. Please include Oss as well.