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The differences between packaging operators 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 $34,269 average annual salary of a packaging operator.
The top three skills for a packaging operator include basic math, math and GMP. The most important skills for a packaging technician are basic math, GMP, and math.
| Packaging Operator | Packaging Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,269 | $35,973 |
| Hourly rate | $16.48 | $17.29 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 85,698 | 64,859 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The primary job of a packaging operator is to take the finished product and ensure that it is packaged based on the company and industry standards. You will be responsible for operating the machinery used in packaging and conducting routine inspection and preventative equipment maintenance. Other duties include product labeling, troubleshooting equipment issues on time to prevent delays, and completing packaging orders on time. As a packaging operator, you are also responsible for ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational policies.
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.
Packaging operators and packaging technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Packaging Operator | Packaging Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,269 | $35,973 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $42,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Moorhead, MN |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Nestlé | Dairy Farmers of America |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a packaging operator and a packaging technician in terms of educational background:
| Packaging Operator | Packaging Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between packaging operators' and packaging technicians' demographics:
| Packaging Operator | Packaging Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.7% Female, 40.3% | Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 57.7% 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 Percentage | 5% | 5% |