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How to hire a packager

Packager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring packagers in the United States:

  • There are currently 6,097 packagers in the US, as well as 3,674 job openings.
  • Packagers are in the highest demand in Willard, OH, with 19 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a packager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new packager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a packager, step by step

To hire a packager, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a packager:

Here's a step-by-step packager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a packager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new packager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a packager do?

Packagers are skilled employees who place completed products into containers and prepare them for shipment by weighing and labeling each package. As the final checkpoints between buyer and manufacturer, packagers must ensure that items are in proper working order as well as discard defective items according to company procedures. They must perform quality control and assist team leaders to verify that all quality standards of all products are being maintained. Packagers must also follow the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) packing guidelines to ensure the safety of workers and the facility.

Learn more about the specifics of what a packager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the packager you need to hire. Certain packager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A packager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, packagers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of packagers.

    Type of PackagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Packager$10-21
    Relief OperatorA relief operator job depends on the institution or organization. Their main jobs include examining, measuring, and weighing materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales... Show more$17-24
    Filler OperatorA filler operator works with the packaging end of a production line. The filler's task is to fill containers with the required number of products before packaging and shipping... Show more$14-22
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Basic Math
    • Package Product
    • Work Ethic
    • Pallets
    • Math
    • Defective Products
    • Hand Tools
    • GMP
    • Assembly Line
    • SCCM
    • PowerShell
    • Quality Standards
    • Registry
    • Pallet Jack
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Create PowerShell scripts to manage installations.
    • Create, customize, automate software installation of applications using WiseStudio / InstallShield by VMware.
    • Comply with applicable FDA, OSHA and Abbott/Ross regulations, policies, procedures or guidelines.
    • Experience on MSI, MST (transforms), MSM (merge modules), MSP (patches).
    • Assemble kits.vials, and syringes.
    • Train on OSHA quality control/food safety.
    More packager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your packager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A packager can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, packagers' average salary in wyoming is 49% less than in minnesota.
    • Seniority. Entry-level packagers 53% less than senior-level packagers.
    • Certifications. A packager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a packager's salary.

    Average packager salary

    $15.15hourly

    $31,506 yearly

    Entry-level packager salary
    $21,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 30, 2025

    Average packager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Minnesota$38,016$18
    2Washington$37,705$18
    3Wisconsin$36,451$18
    4Oregon$35,862$17
    5Maine$35,667$17
    6California$34,588$17
    7Pennsylvania$34,137$16
    8Illinois$33,999$16
    9Massachusetts$33,847$16
    10New Hampshire$32,984$16
    11Indiana$31,991$15
    12Colorado$31,595$15
    13Utah$31,140$15
    14Ohio$30,382$15
    15Iowa$29,987$14
    16Kansas$29,401$14
    17Missouri$29,399$14
    18Nebraska$28,894$14
    19Texas$26,333$13
    20Tennessee$25,215$12

    Average packager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1McGuireWoods$43,705$21.01
    2Steel Dynamics$42,228$20.30
    3Bonneville International$42,143$20.26
    4Metals USA$42,072$20.23
    5Agilent Technologies$41,749$20.07
    6Dairy Farmers of America$40,533$19.492
    7Lincoln Industries$39,859$19.16
    8Mars$39,429$18.96
    9IBM$39,144$18.823
    10Rich Products$39,020$18.76
    11Sriven Systems$38,606$18.56
    12Church & Dwight Co.$38,036$18.29
    13GCP Applied Technologies$37,972$18.26
    14Post Holdings$36,865$17.72
    15Momar$36,692$17.642
    16TreeHouse Foods$36,053$17.333
    17Vista Outdoor$35,893$17.26
    18Flowers Foods$35,865$17.24
    19Lynden Door$35,862$17.24
    20Medline$35,837$17.23
  4. Writing a packager job description

    A job description for a packager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a packager job description:

    Packager job description example

    1st shift Production

    We are looking for highly responsible, motivated, and energetic individuals who possess a strong work ethic to fill these positions and be a part of our team.

    To be considered for a position at Quincy Street, Inc., a candidate must be able to:

    work in a cold (37 F) environment

    stand on your feet for a significant period of time

    bend, twist, and lift up to 50 pounds

    work in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment

    follow all established safety policies and guidelines

    work overtime, as needed daily and weekends

    pass substance/alcohol abuse tests and company physical


    Previous industrial, manufacturing, or processing, experience is also preferred. In addition, candidates must have independent and reliable transportation to and from work. Quincy Street, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a participant in the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify Program.


    EOE, including Disability/Veteran

    Indiana Packers Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and values diversity. Our EOE policy not only prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category under state, local or federal law, but also reflects our commitment to making all employment decisions without regard to an individual's membership in a protected class. This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, termination, rates of pay and other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in company-sponsored employee activities. As part of its equal opportunity policy, we also take affirmative action in accordance with applicable laws to ensure that women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities have opportunities to join and progress within the Company.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right packager for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your packager job on Zippia to find and recruit packager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit packagers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new packager

    Once you've selected the best packager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new packager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a packager?

Hiring a packager comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting packagers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of packager recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $31,506 per year for a packager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for packagers in the US typically range between $10 and $21 an hour.

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