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The differences between packaging associates and filler operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a filler operator has an average salary of $37,729, which is higher than the $31,519 average annual salary of a packaging associate.
The top three skills for a packaging associate include pallets, defective products and basic math. The most important skills for a filler operator are quality checks, food safety, and pallets.
| Packaging Associate | Filler Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $31,519 | $37,729 |
| Hourly rate | $15.15 | $18.14 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 40,179 | 65,876 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Packaging associates are skilled employees who are responsible for wrapping material around consumer items. This serves to protect and clean products, making them marketable. These associates must perform maintenance on the packaging equipment to ensure that they are running efficiently with minimal downtime. They must inspect completed products for defects and abnormalities to satisfy their customers. Packaging associates must also communicate with technicians and supervisors to rectify problems and ensure that the products are with standards and following their customers' requirements.
A 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. The filler also operates filling machines and makes the necessary adjustments to ensure consistency. They are also responsible for inventory and maintenance of filling process equipment. They must work well under pressure and be scrupulously accurate.
Packaging associates and filler operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Packaging Associate | Filler Operator | |
| Average salary | $31,519 | $37,729 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $39,000 | Between $30,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | PepsiCo | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a packaging associate and a filler operator in terms of educational background:
| Packaging Associate | Filler Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between packaging associates' and filler operators' demographics:
| Packaging Associate | Filler Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.9% Female, 42.1% | Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 7.9% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |