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How to hire a packing associate

Packing associate hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring packing associates in the United States:

  • There are currently 9,960 packing associates in the US, as well as 14,718 job openings.
  • Packing associates are in the highest demand in Franklin, NH, with 6 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a packing associate is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new packing associate to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a packing associate, step by step

To hire a packing associate, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a packing associate:

Here's a step-by-step packing associate hiring guide:

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

    Before you post your packing associate job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a packing associate for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a packing associate to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a packing associate that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of packing associates and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Packing AssociateDescriptionHourly rate
    Packing AssociateHand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.$11-19
    WrapperA wrapper is defined as a program utilized in transmission control protocol to give a layer of security by stopping calls to computer services and identifying whether the service is permitted to execute. It provides the needed security against the hostname and host address imitation... Show more$13-18
    Case Picker/TempAn automotive service writer acts as a contact person between customers and an automotive company. They do estimations for clients and help in drafting contracts... Show more$12-19
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Pallets
    • Defective Products
    • Safety Regulations
    • Basic Math
    • Pallet Jack
    • Quality Standards
    • Customer Orders
    • Safety Rules
    • RF Scanner
    • Assembly Line
    • Label Packages
    • Safety Procedures
    • Safety Guidelines
    • Part Numbers
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Utilize manual RF equipment to properly scan, organize, troubleshoot and clear merchandise to be pack and ship.
    • Match labels to map set and BOM.
    • Pack products while adhering to strict GMP procedures.
    • Ensure all components are attached as per BOM.
    • Execute and document QA of products being package for inventory
    • Arrange and pack all necessary pieces into boxes as specified QA.
    More packing associate duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the packing associate job description is a good way to get more applicants. A packing associate 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 packing associate in Virginia may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level packing associate. Additionally, a packing associate with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average packing associate salary

    $15.45hourly

    $32,140 yearly

    Entry-level packing associate salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average packing associate salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$39,556$19
    2Illinois$36,533$18
    3Indiana$34,764$17
    4Nevada$34,471$17
    5Arkansas$34,201$16
    6Wisconsin$33,316$16
    7Kentucky$32,961$16
    8Ohio$32,876$16
    9Rhode Island$32,375$16
    10Pennsylvania$31,664$15
    11Texas$29,122$14
    12North Carolina$28,642$14
    13Tennessee$28,272$14
    14Virginia$27,756$13
    15Georgia$27,672$13
    16Florida$27,490$13

    Average packing associate salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Blue Apron$37,788$18.17
    2UPS$36,088$17.35
    3BD$34,647$16.66
    4Florida Crystals$34,545$16.61
    5First Media$34,194$16.44
    6Henkel$33,748$16.233
    7Grainger$33,539$16.12
    8Shearer's Foods$33,342$16.032
    9HD Supply$33,285$16.00
    10Drummond$33,131$15.93
    11NCW$32,686$15.71
    12Dole$32,678$15.712
    13Pactiv$32,519$15.639
    14Ingram Micro$32,469$15.61
    15Action Target$32,284$15.523
    16Emerson Ecologics$32,209$15.49
    17Precision Electronics Corp.$32,178$15.47
    18Finn Holding Corporation$32,178$15.47
    19ASR$31,953$15.36
    20Biltmore$31,837$15.31
  4. Writing a packing associate job description

    A packing associate job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a packing associate job description:

    Packing associate job description example

    NEW HIRE RATE OF $18.00/HR.

    THIS IS A BLUE APRON:
    Chefs around the world wear blue aprons when learning to cook, and for us, it has become a symbol of lifelong learning. Our highly motivated group of food enthusiasts are inspired to work on complex business problems with creativity and passion, always looking to learn something new. We take preparation seriously, embrace a spirit of excellence, and put in the extra effort in everything we do. We are thrilled to be part of our customers’ lives, cooking and creating experiences in their home kitchens.
    WHO'S IN THE KITCHEN:
    We're looking for passionate team members to help us create an incredible customer experience and an amazing place to work! NEW HIRE RATE OF $18.00/HR.
    WHAT'S ON THE MENU:
    Work on the Kitchen team to portion ingredients in quantities needed to complete recipes.
    • The role involves distributing, cutting, packaging, and scooping ingredients individually or in containers for placement into totes or bins.
    • Ensure full execution of all ingredient fillings for each week’s box.
    • Achieve production goals and record times for completion.
    • Maintains GMP and PPE Standards.

    NECESSARY INGREDIENTS:
    • Must be at least 18 years of age.
    • Satisfactory drug and background screening following condition offer.
    • Eligible to work in the U.S.
    • Overtime weekend and holiday work, as required.
    • Must be willing and able to lift up to 49 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
    • Must be willing and able to handle exposure to temperatures that range from freezing to sub-freezing (coolers, freezers, etc.) with or without accommodation.
    • Must be willing and able to stand/walk for up to 10-12 hours with or without reasonable accommodation.
    • Must be willing and able to frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach with or without reasonable accommodation.

    Blue Apron provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, Blue Apron complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find packing associates 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 packing associate job on Zippia to find and recruit packing associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit packing associates, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 packing associate

    Once you've selected the best packing associate 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  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.)
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How much does it cost to hire a packing associate?

Before you start to hire packing associates, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire packing associates pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $32,140 per year for a packing associate, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for packing associates in the US typically range between $11 and $19 an hour.

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