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Packager vs packaging technician

The differences between packagers and packaging technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a packaging technician has an average salary of $35,973, 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 technician are basic math, GMP, and math.

Packager vs packaging technician overview

PackagerPackaging Technician
Yearly salary$31,506$35,973
Hourly rate$15.15$17.29
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs3,67464,859
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age4444
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 packaging technician do?

A packaging technician is responsible for planning the packaging design of various products, creating attractive outputs by utilizing software tools and applications, and ensuring that the deliverables adhere to the product's features. Packaging technicians generate new designs according to market trends and public demands. They discuss their product samples to the management team and adjust plans based on the requirements and suggestions. A packaging technician also considers the sales performance of the products to develop outputs that show high innovations, attracting customers to purchase the items, and generating more resources for revenues.

Packager vs packaging technician salary

Packagers and packaging technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

PackagerPackaging Technician
Average salary$31,506$35,973
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $45,000Between $28,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityPlymouth, MNMoorhead, MN
Highest paying stateMinnesotaMinnesota
Best paying companyMcGuireWoodsDairy Farmers of America
Best paying industryTechnologyPharmaceutical

Differences between packager and packaging technician education

There are a few differences between a packager and a packaging technician in terms of educational background:

PackagerPackaging Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Packager vs packaging technician demographics

Here are the differences between packagers' and packaging technicians' demographics:

PackagerPackaging Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 52.3% Female, 47.7%Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.4% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between packager and packaging technician 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

Packaging technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform machining, including but not limit to components using mills, lathes and surface grinders to accomplish repairs.
  • Complete accurate and timely documentation to comply with FDA and GMP regulations
  • Operate equipment in compliance with company and OSHA standards.
  • Team member of various over-the-counter lines to prepare package from pill form to truck-ready, with respect to FDA requirements.
  • Package pharmaceuticals, maintain a sterile environment and ensure OSHA standards, work in the clean room and freezer areas.
  • Conduct maintenance to material grinders.
  • Show more

Packager vs packaging technician skills

Common packager skills
  • Basic Math, 11%
  • Package Product, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 10%
  • Pallets, 9%
  • Math, 8%
  • Defective Products, 7%
Common packaging technician skills
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • GMP, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%

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