As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Lead Packaging Engineer in the United States is $162,470 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging Development Engineer III | 4-7 years | $105,094 |
| Packaging Development Engineer IV | 7+ years | $129,529 |
| Lead Packaging Engineer | 7-10 years | $162,469 |
| Packaging R&D Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $138,666 |
| Packaging Development Engineering Senior Manager | 10+ years | $176,566 |
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
|
$227,458 |
40%
|
|
Research and Development
|
$193,339 |
19%
|
|
Coordination
|
$185,216 |
14%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$178,717 |
10%
|
|
Teamwork
|
$175,468 |
8%
|
|
Integrity
|
$173,843 |
7%
|
Lead Packaging Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $181,876. While startup companies pay approximate $153,863.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $153,863 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $162,728 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $175,633 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $181,876 |
For Lead Packaging Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Lead Packaging Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Packaging Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $170,594 | $82.0 | 5% |
| Biotechnology | $170,594 | $82.0 | 5% |
| Business Services | $170,594 | $82.0 | 5% |
| Chemicals | $170,594 | $82.0 | 5% |
| Construction | $170,594 | $82.0 | 5% |
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 August 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 $138,700 - 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 Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Packaging Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.
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.
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