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Packager vs relief operator

The differences between packagers and relief operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a relief operator has an average salary of $42,693, 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 relief operator are food safety, CIP, and PPE.

Packager vs relief operator overview

PackagerRelief Operator
Yearly salary$31,506$42,693
Hourly rate$15.15$20.53
Growth rate6%7%
Number of jobs3,67464,469
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 46%
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 relief operator do?

A 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. Their additional responsibilities include maintaining regular contact and communication with customers to resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.

Packager vs relief operator salary

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

PackagerRelief Operator
Average salary$31,506$42,693
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $45,000Between $36,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityPlymouth, MNHutchinson, KS
Highest paying stateMinnesotaKansas
Best paying companyMcGuireWoodsNestlé
Best paying industryTechnologyEnergy

Differences between packager and relief operator education

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

PackagerRelief Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Packager vs relief operator demographics

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

PackagerRelief Operator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 52.3% Female, 47.7%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between packager and relief 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

Relief operator example responsibilities.

  • Run and maintain production machinery while following all company GMP's and safety policies.
  • Utilize chemicals for clean-ups, always following MSDS instructions and wearing proper PPE at all times.
  • Perform work in specialize chemical/acid resistant PPE with SCBA, chemical resistant heat suits, inline air and escape packs.
  • Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.
  • Perform routine verification of equipment when unloading autoclaves and setting up aseptic filling machines.

Packager vs relief operator skills

Common packager skills
  • Basic Math, 11%
  • Package Product, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 10%
  • Pallets, 9%
  • Math, 8%
  • Defective Products, 7%
Common relief operator skills
  • Food Safety, 18%
  • CIP, 11%
  • PPE, 7%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • CDL, 6%

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