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Packaging Engineer II Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Engineer II in the United States is $88,467 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,470
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,886 to $93,703
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,984

Key Factors That Influence Packaging Engineer II Salaries

A Packaging Engineer II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging Engineer II'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): $77,589
  • Packaging Engineer II (2-4 years): $88,467
  • Packaging Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,094
  • Packaging Engineer IV (7+ years): $129,529
  • Packaging Engineer V (7-10 years): $162,469
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Packaging Engineer I0-2 years$77,589
Packaging Engineer II2-4 years$88,467
Packaging Engineer III4-7 years$105,094
Packaging Engineer IV7+ years$129,529
Packaging Engineer V7-10 years$162,469

Top Paying Cities for Packaging Engineer II

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: $111,583
  • San Francisco: $110,362
  • Oakland: $108,036

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 2.34% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Product Development (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Overseeing the creation of new products or improvement of the performance, cost, or quality of existing products to achieve business goals.
  • Lean (Mentioned in 0.78% Job Postings): Lean manufacturing, or lean production, is a system of techniques and activities for running a manufacturing or service operation.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 2.34%
Product Development 1.3%
Lean 0.78%

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 II's salary.

  • Business Acumen: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Verification and Validation: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Acumen $108,814
23%
Verification and Validation $97,314
10%
Mechanical Engineering $94,660
7%

Packaging Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Packaging Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $99,034. While startup companies pay approximate $83,780.

Packaging Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $83,780
Growth Stage 51~500 $88,607
Established 501~5000 $95,635
Enterprise 5000+ $99,034

Packaging Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Packaging Engineer II 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 Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Packaging Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Packaging Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$101,737$49.015%
Financial Services$101,737$49.015%
Software & Networking$101,737$49.015%
Aerospace & Defense$97,314$47.010%
Energy & Utilities$97,314$47.010%

How Education impacts an Packaging Engineer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Engineer II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $85,576 and $89,441.

Packaging Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 1.7%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 75.0%
Masters 16.7%
Doctorate 1.7%

Packaging Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Packaging Engineer II'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, 2026
$80,886
Average $88,467/year
$93,703
$6,741
Average $7,372/month
$7,809
$1,556
Average $1,701/week
$1,802
$39
Average $43/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $93,703 $7,809 $1,802 $45
Average $88,467 $7,372 $1,701 $43
25th Percentile $80,886 $6,741 $1,556 $39

Packaging Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Packaging Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Packaging Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $105,094 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Packaging Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Packaging Engineer II

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

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FAQ about Packaging Engineer II

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

A Packaging Engineer II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Packaging Engineer II is $111,583.

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

The highest pay for Packaging Engineer II is $98,470.

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

The lowest pay for Packaging Engineer II is $73,984.

4. What are the responsibilities of Packaging Engineer II?

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. Evaluates the effectiveness of new package designs and ensures compliance with all requirements and regulations. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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