As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Lead Packaging Engineer in the United States is $162,440 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.
However, an Lead Packaging Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Lead 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Lead 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lead Packaging Engineer | $157,451 |
| Intermediate Level Lead Packaging Engineer | $158,375 |
| Senior Level Lead Packaging Engineer | $158,744 |
| Specialist Level Lead Packaging Engineer | $160,592 |
| Expert Level Lead Packaging Engineer | $166,863 |
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 Lead Packaging Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Project Management | 2.34% |
| Product Development | 1.3% |
| Lean | 0.78% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$227,416 |
40%
|
|
Research and Development
|
$193,304 |
19%
|
|
Coordination
|
$185,182 |
14%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$178,684 |
10%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$175,435 |
8%
|
|
Integrity
|
$173,811 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Packaging Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Lead Packaging Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $159,460 and $169,676).
Lead Packaging Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 6.8% |
| High School | 4.5% |
| Associates | 4.5% |
| Bachelors | 52.3% |
| Masters | 27.3% |
| Doctorate | 9.1% |
Understanding how an Lead 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 January 01, 2026For an Lead Packaging Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Packaging R&D Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $138,600 - a projected growth of -15% over your current level.
Salaries for an Lead Packaging Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $154,750 in 2023 to around $153,017 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Packaging Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $154,750 |
| 2024 | $154,964 |
| 2025 | $153,017 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The estimated total pay range for a Lead Packaging Engineer is $150,180 to $187,350 per year, which includes base salary and additional compensation. The mid-salary for this position is approximately $169,080.
A Senior Packaging Engineer oversees products made both in-house and by third-party packagers. This role involves identifying and proposing advanced packaging technologies to meet customer needs. The salary for this position ranges from $150,180 to $187,350, with a midpoint of $169,080, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved.
Packaging engineers in the US earn between $150,180 and $187,350 annually, with a median salary of $169,080. This reflects a competitive salary range, highlighting the value of expertise in packaging engineering within the industry.
A good salary for a Lead Packaging Engineer in the USA ranges from a minimum of $150,180 to a maximum of $187,350, with a median salary of $169,080. This reflects the specialized skills and experience required for this role, positioning it above the average engineering salaries in the industry.
The estimated total pay for a Lead Packaging Engineer in the US ranges from $150,180 to $187,350 per year, with a mid-salary of $169,080. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data and provide a clear picture of compensation for this role.
A bachelor's degree in packaging science, engineering, logistics, or food science is essential for a packaging engineer role. Recommended high school courses include agricultural education, physics, computer courses, biology, and mathematics. The salary for a Lead Packaging Engineer ranges from $150,180 to $187,350, with a median salary of $169,080.
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.)
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