How to hire a packaging operator

How to hire a packaging operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step packaging operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a packaging operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new packaging operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a packaging operator do?

Post a packaging operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a packaging operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A packaging operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, packaging operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of packaging operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Packaging Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Packaging Operator		$12-20
   Cell Operator	A Cell Operator is someone who handles a production cell in a company or factory. This position ensures that a cell unit of the production functions properly and efficiently... Show more	$14-21
   Filler Operator	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... Show more	$14-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Math
   • GMP
   • Quality Checks
   • Safety Procedures
   • Pallets
   • Safety Rules
   • Quality Standards
   • Dexterity
   • Hand Tools
   • Pallet Jack
   • Data Entry
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • PET

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the receipt and tracking of control substances as well as the DEA biennial inspection.
   • Print, inspect and fill iv bags.
   • Use of calipers and plug gauge for machine measuring.
   • Print and complete all paperwork according to DEA regulations.
   • Fill iv bags with solution clean very sanitary place.
   • Participate in basic ISO training for all hourly and salary employees.

   More packaging operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the packaging operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A packaging operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a packaging operator in North Carolina may be lower than in North Dakota, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level packaging operator. Additionally, a packaging operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average packaging operator salary

   $16.48hourly

   $34,269 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level packaging operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average packaging operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	North Dakota	$42,837	$21
   2	Kansas	$42,522	$20
   3	Minnesota	$41,763	$20
   4	Wisconsin	$40,190	$19
   5	Missouri	$39,908	$19
   6	Illinois	$39,125	$19
   7	Colorado	$38,019	$18
   8	Ohio	$37,680	$18
   9	Oregon	$37,420	$18
   10	California	$36,962	$18
   11	Michigan	$36,935	$18
   12	Indiana	$36,486	$18
   13	Pennsylvania	$36,416	$18
   14	Utah	$35,702	$17
   15	Maine	$35,597	$17
   16	Maryland	$34,106	$16
   17	Texas	$32,731	$16
   18	Arkansas	$32,665	$16
   19	New York	$32,597	$16
   20	Tennessee	$32,075	$15

   Average packaging operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Nestlé	$46,808	$22.50	90
   2	SunOpta	$46,332	$22.27	4
   3	BD	$45,906	$22.07	9
   4	fairlife	$45,674	$21.96	7
   5	Dairy Farmers of America	$45,449	$21.85	164
   6	Kemps	$45,185	$21.72	6
   7	Seneca Foods	$45,103	$21.68	14
   8	California Dairies	$44,515	$21.40	2
   9	Schreiber Foods	$43,863	$21.09	23
   10	Bunge	$43,506	$20.92	22
   11	Land O'Lakes	$43,422	$20.88	66
   12	J.R. Simplot	$42,916	$20.63
   13	Mars	$42,674	$20.52	22
   14	Pacific Foods	$42,366	$20.37
   15	PepsiCo	$42,322	$20.35	14
   16	Cargill	$42,283	$20.33	87
   17	Deschutes Brewery	$42,091	$20.24	3
   18	Post Holdings	$42,018	$20.20	81
   19	ASR Group	$42,015	$20.20	20
   20	Reckitt Benckiser	$41,975	$20.18	14

4. Writing a packaging operator job description

   A job description for a packaging operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a packaging operator job description:

   Packaging operator job description example

   Day shift = $14.50

   2nd and 3rd shift = $15.10

   Quarterly perfect attendance = $150

   X4 = $600

   If you hit prefect attendance the whole year you get an Extra $150.

   Sign on bonus of $750

   90 day bonus of $750 90 days after direct)

   They run straight 8s.

   They work hard the 8 hours they are there but are not expected to ever work more than 8 hours.

   production flows through this distribution facility. They are running 3 shifts 7 days a week.

   They do all of the sorting, packaging, and shipping of the nuts and bolts produced.

   These are the following positions out there.....

   Hand sort- $13.00

   Hand counting and placing parts in boxes for shipping.

   They will have to do specific counts and orders and make sure the proper parts are in the box.

   Machine Sort-

   They are dumping totes into large hoppers and operating mechanical sorting equipment.

   Need to hire people with manufacturing experience for this. They will be taking boxes of bolt off the conveyor and taping, labeling , and loading them on a pallet

   Skills:

   Ware house, packaging, standing, manufacturing, computers

   Top Skills Details:

   Ware house,packaging,standing

   Additional Skills & Qualifications:

   Must

   - Warehouse/Manufacturing

   - Good Tenure

   - Ability to lift 30 lbs

   Candidates need to have warehouse or manufacturing experience.

   Experience Level:

   Entry Level

   About Aerotek:

   We know that a company's success starts with its employees. We also know that an individual's success starts with the right career opportunity. As a Best of Staffing Client and Talent leader, Aerotek's people-focused approach yields competitive advantage for our clients and rewarding careers for our contract employees. Since 1983, Aerotek has grown to become a leader in recruiting and staffing services. With more than 250 non-franchised offices, Aerotek's 8,000 internal employees serve more than 300,000 contract employees and 18,000 clients every year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in talent solutions. Learn more at

   The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find packaging operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your packaging operator job on Zippia to find and recruit packaging operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting packaging operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new packaging operator

   Once you've selected the best packaging operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new packaging operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a packaging operator?