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The differences between packagers and packaging operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a packaging operator has an average salary of $34,269, 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 packaging operator are basic math, math, and GMP.
| Packager | Packaging Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $31,506 | $34,269 |
| Hourly rate | $15.15 | $16.48 |
| Growth rate | 6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 3,674 | 85,698 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
The primary job of a packaging operator is to take the finished product and ensure that it is packaged based on the company and industry standards. You will be responsible for operating the machinery used in packaging and conducting routine inspection and preventative equipment maintenance. Other duties include product labeling, troubleshooting equipment issues on time to prevent delays, and completing packaging orders on time. As a packaging operator, you are also responsible for ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational policies.
Packagers and packaging operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Packager | Packaging Operator | |
| Average salary | $31,506 | $34,269 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $45,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Plymouth, MN | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | McGuireWoods | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a packager and a packaging operator in terms of educational background:
| Packager | Packaging Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between packagers' and packaging operators' demographics:
| Packager | Packaging Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.3% Female, 47.7% | Male, 59.7% Female, 40.3% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |