What does a package worker do?
Package worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real package worker resumes:
- Follow GMP requirements, assist associates when need.
- Load and unload materials on or from pallets, carts, and trailers.
- Load and deliver lumber, sheetrock, shingles, insulation, and also help customers.
- Stack lumber with forklift and deliver, carry, and place sheet rock and roof shingles into homes.
- Pack product according to spreadsheets and run distributing lines while conducting computer operating codes for organization.
- Transport materials from storage to select areas by using a pallet jack, forklift or electronic dolly.
- Thrive in this fast-pace environment requiring memorization, accuracy, and stamina.
Package worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 62% of Package Workers are proficient in Pallets, Assembly Line, and Safety Policies. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Hand-eye coordination, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Package Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 62%
Pack pallets of sheets and rolls to get ready for shipping.
- Assembly Line, 15%
Assisted with assembly line work, adapting and learning new tasks quickly.
- Safety Policies, 8%
Followed prescribed safety policies as established by the company.
- GMP, 4%
Packaged product following GMP regulatory requirements in a pharmaceutical environment.
- Clean Environment, 3%
Reduced the dust hazard to ensure a clean environment for the bins, machinery and packaging areas.
- Lot Numbers, 3%
Checked lot numbers and expiration dates.
Common skills that a package worker uses to do their job include "pallets," "assembly line," and "safety policies." You can find details on the most important package worker responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a package worker to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Additionally, a package worker resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "assembled and inserted store ads into the local newspaper to make product complete and ready for customer use. "
Hand-eye coordination. Another essential skill to perform package worker duties is hand-eye coordination. Package workers responsibilities require that "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions." Package workers also use hand-eye coordination in their role according to a real resume snippet: "ensured hand and eye coordination at all times in facility while managing that all work was in compliance with safety procedures. "
Listening skills. This is an important skill for package workers to perform their duties. For an example of how package worker responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a package worker: "communicated with machine operators who help move material. ".
Physical stamina. A big part of what package workers do relies on "physical stamina." You can see how essential it is to package worker responsibilities because "hand laborers and material movers need the endurance to perform strenuous tasks, such as moving or cleaning objects, throughout the day." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical package worker tasks: "possess the necessary strength and stamina to load, unload and sort packages. "
Physical strength. Another common skill required for package worker responsibilities is "physical strength." This skill comes up in the duties of package workers all the time, as "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." An excerpt from a real package worker resume shows how this skill is central to what a package worker does: "involved in computer based manufacturing process monitoring computerized production control systems and physical production processes. "
The three companies that hire the most package workers are:
- FedEx511 package workers jobs
- Hughes12 package workers jobs
- ManpowerGroup4 package workers jobs
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Package worker vs. Freight associate
The typical tasks of a freight associate include stocking merchandise on shelves, organizing the sales floor, and providing excellent customer service. Freight associates load and unload trucks and transfer the items from the receiving area to the store. Some of them may operate heavy equipment like forklifts. They may work on the critical functions of equipment for proper maintenance. Also, they maintain the cleanliness of the sales floor and the work area on a regular basis.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, package worker responsibilities require skills like "pallets," "assembly line," "safety policies," and "gmp." Meanwhile a typical freight associate has skills in areas such as "sales floor," "cleanliness," "customer service," and "sort merchandise." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Freight associates tend to reach similar levels of education than package workers. In fact, freight associates are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Package worker vs. Warehouseman
A warehouseman or warehouse worker is the person who assists with the inventory, shipping, and receiving of items in warehouses. Warehousemen receive and process incoming materials and stocks, along with picking and filling orders from the store. They manage, organize, and retrieve supplies and others. These workers need to have skills in speed, accuracy, and prioritizing tasks on site. They should also be equipped with skills in forklift, loading, and general labor.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, package worker responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "safety policies," "gmp," "identification labels," and "clean environment." Meanwhile, a warehouseman has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety regulations," "electric pallet jack," "basic math," and "forklift operation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Warehousemen earn similar levels of education than package workers in general. They're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Package worker vs. Material handler
Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, package workers are more likely to have skills like "safety policies," "gmp," "identification labels," and "clean environment." But a material handler is more likely to have skills like "basic math," "forklifts," "math," and "customer service."
Material handlers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $36,166. On the other hand, package workers are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $33,001.When it comes to education, material handlers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to package workers. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Package worker vs. Loader/unloader
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
Types of package worker
Updated January 8, 2025











