As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Packaging Engineer in District of Columbia is $86,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, an Entry Packaging Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Packaging Engineer | 0-2 years | $85,911 |
| Intermediate Packaging Engineer | 2-4 years | $97,955 |
| Packaging Development Engineer III | 4-7 years | $116,361 |
| Packaging Development Engineer IV | 7+ years | $143,406 |
| Lead Packaging Engineer | 7-10 years | $179,880 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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 $96,190. While startup companies pay approximate $81,348.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $81,348 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $86,038 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $92,890 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $96,190 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $103,200 | $50.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $98,900 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Insurance | $98,900 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $94,600 | $45.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $94,600 | $45.0 | 10% |
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 July 01, 2026For 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 $98,000 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.
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