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Packer/shipper vs hand packer

The differences between packer/shippers and hand packers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a packer/shipper has an average salary of $31,596, which is higher than the $30,359 average annual salary of a hand packer.

The top three skills for a packer/shipper include defective products, package orders and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a hand packer are pallets, assembly line, and quality standards.

Packer/shipper vs hand packer overview

Packer/ShipperHand Packer
Yearly salary$31,596$30,359
Hourly rate$15.19$14.60
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs17,03420,290
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 58%High School Diploma, 56%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a packer/shipper do?

The role of packers/shippers is to prepare products for shipping. They are responsible for labeling, packing, cleaning, and maintaining shipping containers. Also, they are accountable for preventing things from being damaged. A few skills packers/shippers should have to accomplish these responsibilities include hand-eye coordination, customer service skills, and attention to detail. One should also have a college degree to become a successful packer/shipper.

What does a hand packer do?

Hand packers are skilled employees who are responsible for packing a variety of products and materials by hand packing. These hand packers must work on a fast-paced assembly line packing finished products and putting them into box carts. They are required to remove defective products and place them in specified areas to be discarded. They must operate forklifts and electric pallet jacks to move material and finished products to designated pickup areas within the facility. Hand packers must also assist machine operators in operating machinery to complete the packaging process.

Packer/shipper vs hand packer salary

Packer/shippers and hand packers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Packer/ShipperHand Packer
Average salary$31,596$30,359
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $38,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityChelmsford, MASioux City, IA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaMaryland
Best paying companyL3HarrisMSC Industrial Direct Co
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between packer/shipper and hand packer education

There are a few differences between a packer/shipper and a hand packer in terms of educational background:

Packer/ShipperHand Packer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 58%High School Diploma, 56%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Packer/shipper vs hand packer demographics

Here are the differences between packer/shippers' and hand packers' demographics:

Packer/ShipperHand Packer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 49.7% Female, 50.3%Male, 41.8% Female, 58.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 7.4% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between packer/shipper and hand packer duties and responsibilities

Packer/shipper example responsibilities.

  • Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
  • Attach burners on the top castings with clips.

Hand packer example responsibilities.

  • Remove complete or defective products or materials, placing them on pallets in a specific area.
  • Train all new employess about policies Gmp.
  • Used RF scanners and data entry to complete packaging documentation.
  • Pack ice cream cones, operate a hand jack to move pallets around, and prepare them ready to ship
  • Forecast manpower requirements base on daily workload and company targets.
  • Prepare orders by sealing and labeling finish product for shipment.QC

Packer/shipper vs hand packer skills

Common packer/shipper skills
  • Defective Products, 27%
  • Package Orders, 26%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Assembly Line, 7%
  • Customer Orders, 6%
Common hand packer skills
  • Pallets, 17%
  • Assembly Line, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Hand Pack, 8%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%

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