Are packaging engineers in demand?

Yes, packaging engineers are in demand. The demand for packaging engineers is expected to grow as newer, faster ways of packaging are continually being sought to meet the needs of economic growth, world trade expansion, and the environment.

How long does it take to become a packaging engineer?

It generally takes four or five years to earn a bachelor's degree and gain an entry-level role as a packaging engineer. In contrast, a master's degree is not required to be a packaging engineer, although many professionals pursue advanced degrees, particularly if they plan to specialize in a specific area or do research.

How To Become A Packaging Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a packaging engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

A packaging engineer creates and develops designs that are effective to create functional and cost-effective packaging. This implies that you will be generating ideas, concepts, testing various designs, and reviewing how efficient the final package is. As a packaging engineer, you are to develop packaging concepts as that is your primary task. You are to work with all internal teams to assess packaging requirements at every developmental stage. Being a packaging engineer also means that you've been saddled with the responsibility to conduct product research. This research involves in-depth analysis into potential obstacles that could come up during the testing phase.

Also, you are to work with teams closely and provide technical support and guidance they may need. You must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or other related fields to qualify for this role. Your collaboration skills must be very strong. In addition, you must have Computer-aided design (CAD) skills and experience. You need to be a great communicator, and you must be able to pay attention to details. As a packaging engineer, you will earn an average of $77,983 annually.

What general advice would you give to a packaging engineer?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Be open to new experiences. Find a good mentor. Become a valued employee. Always remember that you are designing something for someone.

ScorePackaging EngineerUS Average

Salary

6.9

Avg. Salary $88,452

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 13.05%

Black or African American 4.58%

Hispanic or Latino 11.25%

Unknown 3.93%

White 67.02%

Gender

female 22.94%

male 77.06%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a packaging engineer

Explore packaging engineer education requirements

Most common packaging engineer degrees

Bachelor's

78.9 %

Master's

9.0 %

Associate

7.6 %

Start to develop specific packaging engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
CAD	9.16%
Project Management	7.90%
Solidworks	7.12%
ASTM	5.12%
Package Design	4.87%

Complete relevant packaging engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New packaging engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a packaging engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real packaging engineer resumes.

Research packaging engineer duties and responsibilities

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Manage Linux staging and testing environments and also automate application packaging and deployments.
Manage packaging redesign project to maintain compliance with current FDA regulations for medical device packaging.

Prepare your packaging engineer resume

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