As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Development Engineer I in the United States is $77,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Packaging Development Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
A Packaging Development Engineer I'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 a Packaging Development Engineer I'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 I | 0-2 years | $77,589 |
| Intermediate Packaging Engineer | 2-4 years | $88,467 |
| 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 |
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 Packaging Development Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 2.57% |
| SOP | 1.31% |
| Packaging Engineering | 0.83% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Use Cases
|
$107,074 |
38%
|
|
Written Communication
|
$90,004 |
16%
|
|
Continuous Quality Improvement
|
$88,453 |
14%
|
|
Accountability
|
$86,901 |
12%
|
|
Communication Skills
|
$83,021 |
7%
|
|
Integrity
|
$83,021 |
7%
|
Packaging Development Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,858. While startup companies pay approximate $73,479.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $73,479 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $77,713 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $83,876 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $86,858 |
For Packaging Development Engineer I 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, Packaging Development Engineer positions in Chemicals or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging Development Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $93,108 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $89,228 | $43.0 | 15% |
| Insurance | $89,228 | $43.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $85,349 | $41.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $85,349 | $41.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Development Engineer Is 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 a Packaging Development Engineer I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $70,142 and $74,176).
Packaging Development Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a Packaging Development Engineer I'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 a Packaging Development Engineer I, 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.
Salaries for a Packaging Development Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $75,326 in 2023 to around $74,320 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Packaging Development Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $75,326 |
| 2024 | $74,995 |
| 2025 | $74,320 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Packaging Development Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Packaging Development Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Development Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Pay grade 56 at Intel typically offers a salary range for Packaging Development Engineers between $69,160 and $83,650 annually. The midpoint salary is approximately $76,180. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this role, aligning with industry standards.
The estimated salary for a Packaging Development Engineer ranges from $69,160 to $83,650, with a mid-point salary of $76,180 per year. This data reflects the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear picture of the compensation in the packaging engineering field.
As of now, the salary for a Packaging Development Engineer in the USA ranges from $69,160 to $83,650 annually, with a median salary of $76,180. This reflects a more specialized role compared to general packagers, whose earnings typically range from $30,000 to $43,000 annually.
Yes, but not all Packaging Development Engineers will reach that level of compensation. Based on current salary data, the range for this role is between $69,160 and $83,650. To achieve higher earnings, one might consider joining a high-growth company early on, where equity can significantly boost overall compensation if the company succeeds.
Among engineering roles, Packaging Development Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $69,160, a mid-range of $76,180, and a maximum of $83,650. While other engineering fields may offer higher packages, the salary for Packaging Development Engineers reflects their specialized skills in product design and materials.
A good salary package for a Packaging Development Engineer in the USA typically ranges from $69,160 to $83,650, with a median salary of around $76,180. This aligns with the average salaries in various states, such as New York at $74,870 and California at $73,220, reflecting competitive compensation in the industry.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
