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Job outlook for senior packaging engineers in the United States
Senior packaging engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior packaging engineer job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 30,600 new jobs for senior packaging engineers are projected over the next decade.
Senior packaging engineer salaries have increased 6% for senior packaging engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,913 senior packaging engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 47,700 active senior packaging engineer job openings in the US.
The average senior packaging engineer salary is $100,060.
Are senior packaging engineer jobs in demand?
Senior packaging engineer job and salary trends over time
Senior packaging engineer jobs over time
Senior packaging engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,913 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,838 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,868 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,624 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,341 | 0.00% |
Average senior packaging engineer salary over time
Senior packaging engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $100,060 | $48.11 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $99,014 | $47.60 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $97,911 | $47.07 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $96,606 | $46.45 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $94,840 | $45.60 | +1.0% |
Senior packaging engineer jobs by state
Most common states for senior packaging engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 316 | 46% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,508 | 22% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 162 | 17% |
| 4 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,187 | 16% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,394 | 16% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 998 | 16% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 881 | 16% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 216 | 16% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,113 | 15% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 607 | 15% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 804 | 14% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 389 | 13% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 84 | 13% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 835 | 12% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 115 | 11% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,021 | 10% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 350 | 10% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 201 | 10% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 73 | 10% |
| 20 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 916 | 9% |
Most common cities for senior packaging engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Haven | 1 | 4% | $91,070 |
| 2 | Foster City | 1 | 3% | $125,301 |
| 3 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $109,240 |
| 4 | Diamond Bar | 1 | 2% | $111,452 |
| 5 | Lenexa | 1 | 2% | $107,503 |
| 6 | Baldwin Park | 1 | 1% | $111,721 |
| 7 | Bloomington | 1 | 1% | $82,612 |
| 8 | Davie | 1 | 1% | $90,251 |
| 9 | Hawthorne | 1 | 1% | $111,625 |
| 10 | Chicago | 5 | 0% | $88,265 |
| 11 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $108,210 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $109,399 |
| 13 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $98,402 |
| 14 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $99,877 |
| 15 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $111,303 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $82,787 |
| 17 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $110,640 |
Senior Packaging Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior packaging engineer experts
Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Missouri State University
North Dakota State University
Kettering University
Pennsylvania State University
George Mason University
Wichita State University
University of California
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
Jerry Gintz CMfgE
Teaching ProfessorArizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Manufacturing Engineering
What Senior Packaging Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, the most important skills an engineer will need is the ability to understand, design, assemble, and deploy production capable systems. This includes an expertise with computer-aided engineering tools to assist in the design and verification of engineered systems before a company expends capital on the equipment.
What will help Senior Packaging Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, compensation is normally tied to capability so the more relevant skills a candidate has entering the workforce the higher compensation they can expect to receive. This is especially true in manufacturing given the shortage of qualified engineering talent available for hire. Additionally, consider focusing on industrial automation as a resource to aid efficient production. Manufacturing is always looking to increase efficiency and a foundational knowledge of industrial automation systems will serve you well as you build a career in manufacturing engineering.
Dr. Elizabeth Rozell Ph.D.
Associate Dean and Kenneth E. Meyer Professor of ManagementMissouri State University
College of Business
What skills will help Senior Packaging Engineers earn the most?
Dr. Elizabeth Rozell Ph.D.: In the current industry, proficiency in various technical skills will enable the person to be more marketable.
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorNorth Dakota State University
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Packaging Engineers?
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.: An IE must be able to break down complex problems into manageable issues and provide solutions for these problems that face the world in today's complex interconnected systems. A background in statistics, design and analysis, process management, and a strong foundation in the engineering disciplines make this possible.
What experience really stands out on Senior Packaging Engineer resumes?
Scott Grasman Ph.D.: Graduates that have applied their classroom learning to real work experiences will differentiate themselves from others. Showing that you have particular skills, perhaps through certifications, and highlighting your specific abilities through tangible examples is critical.
In addition to a resume, students could create a portfolio of items that demonstrates their knowledge and ability.
What type of skills will young Senior Packaging Engineers need?
Scott Grasman Ph.D.: Many surveys have highlighted the need for soft skills: listening, communication, etc. Beyond that, graduates should enter the workforce with a curiosity to seek out and solve problems, to look for mentorship, and not be afraid to take on new challenges.
The working environment is always changing so graduates will need the ability to adapt and to learn new skills. It often gets overlooked but graduates must have valuable technical skill or they will be left out.
What Senior Packaging Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Charles Purdum: Certification, certification, certifications! Lean or Six Sigma green belt (e.g., ASQ.com), project management (e.g., PMI.com), and leadership skills.
Dr. Lance Sherry Ph.D.
Director, Center for Air Transportation Systems Research Assoc. Professor, System Engineering and Operations Research Dept.George Mason University
What type of skills will young Senior Packaging Engineers need?
Dr. Lance Sherry Ph.D.: Critical thinking - don't take things for granted. Instrumentalize the process, and collect the performance data. Analyse the data, and test hypotheses. Once the problem and issue are understood, then, and only then, develop a solution.
Too many times we rush in with a technology solution that does not really solve the problem.
Also go and listen to the stakeholders. Understand their perspectives and account for these perspectives in the design solution.
Too many times we rush in with a technology solution that causes more problems than it solves because we have not truly understood the perspectives of the stakeholders.
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What experience really stands out on Senior Packaging Engineer resumes?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who can integrate in multi-disciplinary environments to solve complex problems. They are looking for resumes that show quick learning. Such resumes will permanently be in great demand. Because the world is interconnected much more than it ever was, employees today will deal with customers, supply-chains, and fellow employees who are spread all over the world. It means that an experience that showcases the global perspective will be in demand over the long-term.
What experience really stands out on Senior Packaging Engineer resumes?
Diran Apelian: Graduates who have never had industry experience are at a disadvantage. Those who stand out have taken risks and have exposed themselves to various engineering venues through summer jobs and various internships. Theory and practice stands out.
James Swisher
Director of Continuing EducationInstitute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
What general advice would you give to a Senior Packaging Engineer?
James Swisher: It's truly an exciting time to be an Industrial and Systems Engineer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects demand for ISEs to grow by 10% over the next ten years, which is much faster than the rate for all occupations. Firms across a broad range of industries will continue to focus on the skills that ISEs bring to improve efficiencies, enhance quality, and lower costs. In addition, ISEs bring skills in the related fields of big data, artificial intelligence, and project management that make them extremely valuable to organizations. ISEs ability to quickly make an impact in an organization also means that their potential for promotion is very good. It's a great profession to be in.