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How to hire a packing line worker

Packing line worker hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring packing line workers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a packing line worker is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per packing line worker on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 26,854 packing line workers in the US, and there are currently 77,704 job openings in this field.
  • Noel, MO, has the highest demand for packing line workers, with 3 job openings.

How to hire a packing line worker, step by step

To hire a packing line worker, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a packing line worker:

Here's a step-by-step packing line worker 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 line worker job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new packing line worker
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a packing line worker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or 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 line worker 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 line worker that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of packing line workers.

    Type of Packing Line WorkerDescriptionHourly rate
    Packing Line Worker$11-17
    Woodworking Shop HandA woodworking shop hand is responsible for assisting woodwork tasks, creating high-quality products, and inspecting the items thoroughly before packaging and releasing for delivery. Woodworking shop hands maintain clean and safe construction tools and equipment, perform repairs as needed, and disposing of defective items that may affect operational efficiency... Show more$12-18
    Assembler/PackerIn the manufacturing industry, an assembler/packer is primarily responsible for assembling components and packing products according to guidelines and protocols. They are responsible for understanding assembly instructions and schematics, operating tools and equipment, and developing safe and efficient strategies to accomplish production goals according to schedules... Show more$10-16
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Defective Products
    • Assembly Line
    • Pallet Jack
    • Individual Packages
    • Lunch Meat
    • Safety Policies
    • Machine Operators
    • Quality Checks
    • GMP
    • Inspect Containers
    • RAN
    • Package Processing Equipment
    • Production Lines
    • Quality Standards
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Pack product according to spreadsheets and run distributing lines while conducting computer operating codes for organization.
    • Operate RF scanning equipment to account and inventory manufacture products.
    More packing line worker duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your packing line worker job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A packing line worker salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, packing line workers' average salary in new mexico is 43% less than in north dakota.
    • Seniority. Entry-level packing line workers earn 36% less than senior-level packing line workers.
    • Certifications. A packing line worker with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a packing line worker's salary.

    Average packing line worker salary

    $14.13hourly

    $29,390 yearly

    Entry-level packing line worker salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average packing line worker salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Oregon$36,196$17
    2Nevada$34,922$17
    3New York$34,103$16
    4Ohio$33,250$16
    5Wisconsin$32,606$16
    6California$31,980$15
    7Michigan$30,839$15
    8Virginia$29,780$14
    9South Carolina$29,481$14
    10Texas$25,834$12
    11Florida$25,483$12

    Average packing line worker salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1FedEx$35,140$16.893
    2Dairy Farmers of America$33,756$16.2320
    3Tyson Foods$31,824$15.3010
    4The Andersons$30,244$14.542
    5Workbox Staffing$30,127$14.483
    6Kelly Services$30,011$14.4357
    7Highland Baking$29,963$14.413
    8PeopleReady$29,532$14.20151
    9AtWork$29,061$13.9738
    10Time Staffing$28,709$13.80
    11NESCO$28,623$13.76
    12First Option Recruiting$27,823$13.38
    13Randstad North America, Inc.$26,955$12.96
    14ServiceMaster$26,945$12.954
  4. Writing a packing line worker job description

    A good packing line worker job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a packing line worker job description:

    Packing line worker job description example

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
    • Follows daily work instructions from the Lead or the Supervisor.
    • Packs product into cases using the proper quantities.
    • Assembles packaging master cases.
    • Places pizza in master cases.
    • Monitors product to ensure that quality is being achieved and reports deficiencies to Line Lead or Supervisor.
    • Cleans work areas, machines, tools, and equipment.
    • Suggests ways to control labor and supply costs as well as improve processes.
    • Ensures that all work activities are performed with attention to the highest standards for quality, safety and compliance with all appropriate legal and food safety requirements and a focus on continuous improvement.
    • Follows all company policies & procedures as well as the GMP's (Good Manufacturing Practices).
    • Maintains a high level of safety awareness for an accident-free work place.
    • Reports any unsafe or hazardous work conditions or safety-related issues to Management.
    • Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.

    Education, Skills and Experience:
    Education:
    • High school – GED or equivalent preferred

    Skills and Experience:
    • Ability to work overtime, irregular hours or rotating shifts.
    • Ability to work effectively with a variety of diverse individuals within the plant.
    • Ability to thrive in a constantly changing environment.
    • Ability to minimally speak and write in English.
    • Ability to follow simple instructions presented in written or verbal form.

    Physical Demands and Work Environment:
    The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee frequently is required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

    Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to airborne particles. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places. Employee may be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

    Organizational Structure:
    The Topping Packaging Line Worker will report directly to the Topping Packaging Supervisor.



    PI193812088

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right packing line worker for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your packing line worker job on Zippia to find and recruit packing line worker 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 line workers, 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 line worker

    Once you have selected a candidate for the packing line worker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new packing line worker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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 line worker?

Before you start to hire packing line workers, 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 line workers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Packing line workers earn a median yearly salary is $29,390 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find packing line workers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $11 and $17.

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