How to become a packers and packager, hand

Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What packers and packagers, hand do

• Mark and label containers, container tags, or products, using marking tools.
• Clean containers, materials, supplies, or work areas, using cleaning solutions and hand tools.
• Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.
• Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.
• Obtain, move, and sort products, materials, containers, and orders, using hand tools.
• Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.

Skills that matter most

• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Writing
• Mathematics

Is packers and packager, hand a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 29% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Kansas $44,460
• New Jersey $43,840
• Alaska $41,670
• District of Columbia $40,910
• Colorado $40,730

Packers and Packagers, Hand salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.