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

What is a packaging specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

While factory workers manufacture goods and salesmen sell them, packaging specialists put these goods in boxes or other containers so it reaches stores and consumers ultimately. A packaging specialist focuses on package development that is cost-effective and attractive.

Your responsibility may include auditing current packaging designs and finding out new ways to improve the overall appearance and at the same time save cost. You are also responsible for the final inspections to make sure that goods meet the production standards. If you find spoilt products, they must be removed and replaced with new items. Keeping a record of activities for inventory control is also a part of your job description.

No formal educational qualification is usually required to be a packaging specialist. This is because most employers provide on-the-job training for employees. Nonetheless, you must be a very meticulous person to work as a packaging specialist as you may be handling heavy or poisonous materials. You must also possess physical stamina. The average salary for this job in the United States is $60,841.

ScorePackaging SpecialistUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $50,146

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.4

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.21%

Asian 7.49%

Black or African American 11.97%

Hispanic or Latino 15.57%

Unknown 3.41%

White 60.34%

Gender

female 38.57%

male 61.43%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

4.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a packaging specialist

Explore packaging specialist education requirements

Most common packaging specialist degrees

Bachelor's

38.4 %

High School Diploma

27.0 %

Associate

19.3 %

Start to develop specific packaging specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
DOD	46.11%
Package Design	6.75%
Logistics	4.89%
Safety Policies	4.26%
Continuous Improvement	4.13%

Complete relevant packaging specialist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New packaging specialists 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 specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real packaging specialist resumes.

Research packaging specialist duties and responsibilities

Manage a team of 16-35 to insure packaging lines are running to standards as far as USDA guidelines and company productivity.
Verified/Document product components; ensure compliance with quality standards and FDA and GMP procedures/guidelines.
Operate packaging equipment to produce quality products in a safe and efficient manner under OSHA, ISO, GMP procedures.
Train employees on ISO systems and procedures.

Prepare your packaging specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your packaging specialist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a packaging specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable packaging specialist resume templates

Build a professional packaging specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your packaging specialist resume.