As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Development Engineer IV in the United States is $129,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a Packaging Development Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Packaging Development Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $143,600 | $11,967 | $2,762 | $69 |
| Average | $129,600 | $10,800 | $2,492 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,600 | $9,800 | $2,262 | $57 |
A Packaging Development Engineer IV'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 IV'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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Packaging R&D Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $138,676 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Project Management | 2.34% |
| Product Development | 1.3% |
| Lean | 0.78% |
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 a Packaging Development Engineer IV's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| AutoCAD | $154,224 | |
| Industrial Engineering | $147,744 | |
| Verification and Validation | $145,152 |
Packaging Development Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $144,833. While startup companies pay approximate $122,514.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $122,514 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $129,571 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $139,855 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $144,833 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Development Engineer IVs 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 a Packaging Development Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $135,149 and $140,897).
| Typical Education for Packaging Development Engineer IV | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 2.8% |
| High School | 2.8% |
| Associates | 8.3% |
| Bachelors | 47.2% |
| Masters | 36.1% |
| Doctorate | 5.6% |
Understanding how a Packaging Development Engineer IV'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $143,600 | $11,967 | $2,762 | $69 |
| Average | $129,600 | $10,800 | $2,492 | $62 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,600 | $9,800 | $2,262 | $57 |
Next Role
Advancement
For a Packaging Development Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Lead Packaging Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $162,480 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.
Salaries for a Packaging Development Engineer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $129,672 in 2023 to around $129,436 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Packaging Development Engineer IV salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $129,672 |
| 2024 | $130,468 |
| 2025 | $129,436 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Development Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
As of now, a Packaging Development Engineer in the USA earns between $130,600 and $151,900 annually, with a median salary of $141,000. This reflects a specialized role with higher compensation compared to general packagers, whose wages typically range from $14.42 to $17.31 per hour.
The starting salary for a Packaging Development Engineer is approximately $130,600 per year. The average salary typically ranges from $130,600 to $151,900, with a midpoint of $141,000. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field.
The estimated salary for a Packaging Development Engineer in the USA ranges from $130,600 to $151,900 per year, with a midpoint salary of $141,000. These figures reflect the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear overview of the compensation landscape in the industry.
The highest salary that a Packaging Development Engineer can earn is $151,900 per year. This reflects the upper end of the salary range for this role, with a minimum salary of $130,600 and a mid-range salary of $141,000.
The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Packaging Development Engineer, with a salary range from $130,600 to $151,900. The median salary for this position is approximately $141,000, making it one of the top-paying engineering jobs in the country.
The salary for a Packaging Development Engineer ranges from $130,600 to $151,900 annually, with a midpoint of $141,000. In contrast, Amazon packers earn significantly less, with top-paying cities offering around $39,325 to $39,303 per year. This highlights the difference in compensation between these roles.
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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