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Packager vs cell operator

The differences between packagers and cell operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cell operator has an average salary of $37,866, which is higher than the $31,506 average annual salary of a packager.

The top three skills for a packager include basic math, package product and work ethic. The most important skills for a cell operator are hand tools, math, and quality standards.

Packager vs cell operator overview

PackagerCell Operator
Yearly salary$31,506$37,866
Hourly rate$15.15$18.20
Growth rate6%7%
Number of jobs3,67466,532
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4443
Years of experience--

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.

What does a cell operator do?

A Cell Operator is someone who handles a production cell in a company or factory. This position ensures that a cell unit of the production functions properly and efficiently. The position also does other miscellaneous tasks related to production, such as inspection, sorting, and other assembly operations, depending on the type of company, business, or manufactured product. This person generally has strong organizational and problem-solving skills and has a knack for troubleshooting.

Packager vs cell operator salary

Packagers and cell operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

PackagerCell Operator
Average salary$31,506$37,866
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $45,000Between $31,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityPlymouth, MNBothell, WA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaWashington
Best paying companyMcGuireWoodsCummins
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between packager and cell operator education

There are a few differences between a packager and a cell operator in terms of educational background:

PackagerCell Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Packager vs cell operator demographics

Here are the differences between packagers' and cell operators' demographics:

PackagerCell Operator
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 52.3% Female, 47.7%Male, 68.8% Female, 31.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between packager and cell operator duties and responsibilities

Packager example 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.
  • Show more

Cell operator example responsibilities.

  • Work with QC on parts.
  • Capture torque data for SPC charts.
  • Read and implement PC (product criteria).
  • Work with engineering to make specialty repair parts for hoists.
  • Adjust CNC machines as needed to ensure that parts are made to spec.
  • Assist in editing CNC programs and develop new part setups and tooling while working closely with manufacturing engineers.
  • Show more

Packager vs cell operator skills

Common packager skills
  • Basic Math, 11%
  • Package Product, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 10%
  • Pallets, 9%
  • Math, 8%
  • Defective Products, 7%
Common cell operator skills
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Math, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 8%
  • CNC, 8%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Micrometers, 6%

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