Packaging technician vs relief operator

The differences between packaging technicians and relief operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a relief operator has an average salary of $42,693, which is higher than the $35,973 average annual salary of a packaging technician.

The top three skills for a packaging technician include basic math, GMP and math. The most important skills for a relief operator are food safety, CIP, and PPE.

Packaging technician vs relief operator overview

	Packaging Technician	Relief Operator
Yearly salary	$35,973	$42,693
Hourly rate	$17.29	$20.53
Growth rate	3%	7%
Number of jobs	64,859	64,469
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

What does a packaging technician do?

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.

What does a relief operator do?

A relief operator job depends on the institution or organization. Their main jobs include examining, measuring, and weighing materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales. Their additional responsibilities include maintaining regular contact and communication with customers to resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.

Packaging technician vs relief operator salary

Packaging technicians and relief operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Packaging Technician	Relief Operator
Average salary	$35,973	$42,693
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $44,000	Between $36,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	Moorhead, MN	Hutchinson, KS
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Kansas
Best paying company	Dairy Farmers of America	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Energy

Differences between packaging technician and relief operator education

There are a few differences between a packaging technician and a relief operator in terms of educational background:

	Packaging Technician	Relief Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Packaging technician vs relief operator demographics

Here are the differences between packaging technicians' and relief operators' demographics:

	Packaging Technician	Relief Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1%	Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between packaging technician and relief operator duties and responsibilities

Packaging technician example responsibilities.

Perform machining, including but not limit to components using mills, lathes and surface grinders to accomplish repairs.
Complete accurate and timely documentation to comply with FDA and GMP regulations
Operate equipment in compliance with company and OSHA standards.
Team member of various over-the-counter lines to prepare package from pill form to truck-ready, with respect to FDA requirements.
Package pharmaceuticals, maintain a sterile environment and ensure OSHA standards, work in the clean room and freezer areas.
Conduct maintenance to material grinders.

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Relief operator example responsibilities.

Run and maintain production machinery while following all company GMP's and safety policies.
Utilize chemicals for clean-ups, always following MSDS instructions and wearing proper PPE at all times.
Perform work in specialize chemical/acid resistant PPE with SCBA, chemical resistant heat suits, inline air and escape packs.
Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.
Perform routine verification of equipment when unloading autoclaves and setting up aseptic filling machines.

Packaging technician vs relief operator skills

Common packaging technician skills

Basic Math, 8%
GMP, 7%
Math, 7%
Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
Data Entry, 5%

Common relief operator skills

Food Safety, 18%
CIP, 11%
PPE, 7%
Quality Checks, 7%
Basic Math, 6%
CDL, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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