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Packaging Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Packaging Engineer I make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Engineer I in the United States is $77,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Packaging Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,825
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,369 to $82,952
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,786
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View as table View as graph 25% $70,369 10% $63,786 90% $87,825 75% $82,952 $77,600 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Packaging Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $82,952 $6,913 $1,595 $40
Average $77,600 $6,467 $1,492 $37
25th Percentile $70,369 $5,864 $1,353 $34
Check out Packaging Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Packaging Engineer

ACL Digital - New Albany, OH

Product Development Engineer

SOLUT! - Lewis Center, OH

Packaging Engineer

American Plastics, LLC - Findlay, OH

Packaging Engineer

In-finite Search Solutions - Akron, OH

Search More Packaging Engineer I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Packaging Engineer I Salaries

A Packaging 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.

How Experience Level Affects Packaging Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging 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:

  • Packaging Engineer I (0-2 years): $77,600
  • Packaging Engineer II (2-4 years): $88,479
  • Packaging Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,097
  • Packaging Engineer IV (7+ years): $129,506
  • Packaging Engineer V (7-10 years): $162,453
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Packaging Engineer I0-2 years$77,600
Packaging Engineer II2-4 years$88,479
Packaging Engineer III4-7 years$105,097
Packaging Engineer IV7+ years$129,506
Packaging Engineer V7-10 years$162,453
$77,600 Packaging...
$88,479 Packaging...
$105,097 Packaging...
$129,506 Packaging...
$162,453 Packaging...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Packaging Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $97,877
  • San Francisco: $96,805
  • Oakland: $94,765

What Skills Can Increase a Packaging Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 2.57% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Packaging Engineering (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): Packaging engineering, also package engineering, packaging technology and packaging science, is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Package engineering is an interdisciplinary field integrating science, engineering, technology and management to protect and identify products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It encompasses the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. It is a system integral to the value chain that impacts product quality, user satisfaction, distribution efficiencies, and safety. includes industry-specific aspects of industrial engineering, marketing, materials science, industrial design and logistics. Packaging engineers must interact with research and development, manufacturing, marketing, graphic design, regulatory, purchasing, planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 2.57%
SOP 1.31%
Packaging Engineering 0.83%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
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 Engineer I's salary.
  • Use Cases: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Continuous Quality Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Use Cases
$107,088
38%
Written Communication
$90,016
16%
Continuous Quality Improvement
$88,464
14%
Accountability
$86,912
12%
Communication Skills
$83,032
7%
Integrity
$83,032
7%
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How Education impacts a Packaging Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging 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 Engineer I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $70,495 and $74,550).

Packaging Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging Engineer I
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%
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Packaging Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Packaging 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 May 01, 2026

Packaging Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Packaging Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Packaging Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $88,479 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Packaging Engineer I

Salaries for a Packaging 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 Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Packaging Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$75,326
2024
$74,995
2025
$74,320
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $75,326
2024 $74,995
2025 $74,320
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Packaging Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Packaging Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Packaging Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Packaging Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Packaging Engineer I

1. Where can a Packaging Engineer I earn the most?

A Packaging Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Packaging Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Packaging Engineer I is $97,877.

2. What is the highest pay for Packaging Engineer I?

The highest pay for Packaging Engineer I is $87,825.

3. What is the lowest pay for Packaging Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Packaging Engineer I is $63,786.

4. What are the responsibilities of Packaging Engineer I?

Designs product packaging to ensure product integrity and appeal under varying shipping and display conditions. Tests, analyzes, and selects materials for packaging based on durability and cost effectiveness. Helps ensure packaging complies with all regulations. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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