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Entry Packaging Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Packaging Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Packaging Engineer in the United States is $77,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, an Entry Packaging Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,916
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,400 to $83,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,845
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Packaging Engineer Salaries

An Entry Packaging Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Packaging Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Packaging Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Packaging Engineer (0-2 years): $77,585
  • Intermediate Packaging Engineer (2-4 years): $88,463
  • Packaging Development Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,093
  • Packaging Development Engineer IV (7+ years): $129,537
  • Lead Packaging Engineer (7-10 years): $162,475
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Packaging Engineer0-2 years$77,585
Intermediate Packaging Engineer2-4 years$88,463
Packaging Development Engineer III4-7 years$105,093
Packaging Development Engineer IV7+ years$129,537
Lead Packaging Engineer7-10 years$162,475
View as Graph

How Do Entry Packaging Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Packaging Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $86,000.
  • California: $85,600.
  • Massachusetts: $84,500.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Packaging Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $97,900
  • San Francisco: $96,800
  • Oakland: $94,800

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Packaging Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 2.57% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Packaging Engineering (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): Packaging engineering, also package engineering, packaging technology and packaging science, is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Package engineering is an interdisciplinary field integrating science, engineering, technology and management to protect and identify products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It encompasses the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. It is a system integral to the value chain that impacts product quality, user satisfaction, distribution efficiencies, and safety. includes industry-specific aspects of industrial engineering, marketing, materials science, industrial design and logistics. Packaging engineers must interact with research and development, manufacturing, marketing, graphic design, regulatory, purchasing, planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 2.57%
SOP 1.31%
Packaging Engineering 0.83%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Packaging Engineer's salary.

  • Use Cases: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Continuous Quality Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Use Cases $107,088
38%
Written Communication $90,016
16%
Continuous Quality Improvement $88,464
14%
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Entry Packaging Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Packaging Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,721. While startup companies pay approximate $73,357.

Entry Packaging Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,357
Growth Stage 51~500 $77,583
Established 501~5000 $83,740
Enterprise 5000+ $86,721

Entry Packaging Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Packaging Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Packaging Engineer positions in Chemicals or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Packaging Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Packaging Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$93,120$45.020%
Financial Services$89,240$43.015%
Insurance$89,240$43.015%
Aerospace & Defense$85,360$41.010%
Construction$85,360$41.010%

How Education impacts an Entry Packaging Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Packaging Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Packaging Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $70,181 and $74,255).

Entry Packaging Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Packaging Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.9%
High School 5.9%
Associates 7.6%
Bachelors 70.6%
Masters 12.6%
Doctorate 3.4%
View as Graph

Entry Packaging Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Packaging Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$70,400
Average $77,600/year
$83,000
$5,867
Average $6,467/month
$6,917
$1,354
Average $1,492/week
$1,596
$34
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,000 $6,917 $1,596 $40
Average $77,600 $6,467 $1,492 $37
25th Percentile $70,400 $5,867 $1,354 $34

Entry Packaging Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Entry Packaging Engineer

Next Role

Advancement

For an Entry Packaging Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Packaging Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $88,500 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Entry Packaging Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Packaging Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Packaging Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Packaging Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Packaging Engineer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Packaging Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the lowest salary of an engineer in us?

The lowest salary for an Entry Packaging Engineer in the U.S. is approximately $69,200, with a mid-range salary of about $76,200 and a maximum salary reaching $83,700. This reflects a more specific salary range compared to broader engineering roles, highlighting the competitive compensation in this field.

3. Are packaging engineers in demand?

Yes, packaging engineers are in demand. Employment for packaging engineers is projected to grow at an average rate through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Entry-level positions typically offer salaries ranging from $69,200 to $83,700, with a median salary of $76,200, reflecting the growing need for skilled professionals in this field.

4. How much does a beginner engineer earn in USA?

A beginner Packaging Engineer in the USA typically earns between $69,200 and $83,700 annually, with a median salary of around $76,200. This range reflects the entry-level compensation in the engineering field, which can vary based on industry and location.

5. Is $40 000 a good entry level salary?

Earning $40,000 a year is significantly below the entry-level salary range for a Packaging Engineer, which starts at $69,200. While it may suffice for someone with low expenses, it falls short compared to the minimum salary in this field. A household income of $80,000, with two earners at this level, would be more aligned with industry standards.

6. Is packaging designer a good career?

A career as a packaging designer can be rewarding, offering diverse opportunities in visual communication, structural design, and material innovation. With an entry-level salary ranging from $69,200 to $83,700, it's a blend of art, science, and engineering that allows you to make a significant impact in various industries.

7. Is $75000 a good salary in USA?

If you make $75,000 a year, you're earning within the range of an Entry Packaging Engineer's salary, which has a minimum of $69,200 and a maximum of $83,700. This means you're earning a competitive salary, as it falls above the midpoint of $76,200. Many would consider this a good salary in the U.S., providing a comfortable standard of living.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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