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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 September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Engineer I in the United States is $77,585 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): $87,804
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,353 to $82,934
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,769
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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 I 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): $77,585
  • Packaging Engineer II (2-4 years): $88,463
  • Packaging Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,093
  • Packaging Engineer IV (7+ years): $129,537
  • Packaging Engineer V (7-10 years): $162,475
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Packaging Engineer I0-2 years$77,585
Packaging Engineer II2-4 years$88,463
Packaging Engineer III4-7 years$105,093
Packaging Engineer IV7+ years$129,537
Packaging Engineer V7-10 years$162,475
View as Graph

How Do Packaging Engineer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $85,902.
  • California: $85,576.
  • Massachusetts: $84,436.

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: $97,858
  • San Francisco: $96,787
  • Oakland: $94,747

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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 2.57%
SOP 1.31%
Packaging Engineering 0.83%
See More Skills

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 $107,067
38%
Written Communication $89,999
16%
Continuous Quality Improvement $88,447
14%
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Packaging Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Packaging Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,704. While startup companies pay approximate $73,343.

Packaging Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,343
Growth Stage 51~500 $77,568
Established 501~5000 $83,724
Enterprise 5000+ $86,704

Packaging Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Packaging 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 Engineer positions in Chemicals or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Packaging Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$93,102$45.020%
Financial Services$89,223$43.015%
Insurance$89,223$43.015%
Aerospace & Defense$85,344$41.010%
Construction$85,344$41.010%

How Education impacts a Packaging Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Engineer I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Packaging Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $72,470 and $76,364.

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%
View as Graph

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 September 01, 2026
$70,353
Average $77,585/year
$82,934
$5,863
Average $6,465/month
$6,911
$1,353
Average $1,492/week
$1,595
$34
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,934 $6,911 $1,595 $40
Average $77,585 $6,465 $1,492 $37
25th Percentile $70,353 $5,863 $1,353 $34

Packaging Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Packaging Engineer I

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Advancement

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 $88,463 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Packaging Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

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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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 $97,858.

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

The highest pay for Packaging Engineer I is $87,804.

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

The lowest pay for Packaging Engineer I is $63,769.

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Packaging Engineer I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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