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Packaging Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Engineer IV in the United States is $129,529 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $156,468
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,647 to $143,630
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,829

Key Factors That Influence Packaging Engineer IV Salaries

A Packaging 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.

How Experience Level Affects Packaging Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging 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:

  • 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
  • Packaging Engineering Manager (10+ years): $138,666
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Packaging Engineering Manager10+ years$138,666

Top Paying Cities for Packaging Engineer IV

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: $163,375
  • San Francisco: $161,586
  • Oakland: $158,181

What Skills Can Increase a Packaging Engineer IV'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 IV's salary.

  • AutoCAD: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Industrial Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Verification and Validation: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AutoCAD $154,140
19%
Industrial Engineering $147,663
14%
Verification and Validation $145,072
12%

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

Packaging Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $145,000. While startup companies pay approximate $122,667.

Packaging Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $122,667
Growth Stage 51~500 $129,735
Established 501~5000 $140,023
Enterprise 5000+ $145,000

Packaging Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Packaging Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Packaging Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Packaging Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$168,388$81.030%
Biotechnology$161,911$78.025%
Energy & Utilities$155,435$75.020%
Healthcare$148,958$72.015%
Aerospace & Defense$142,482$69.010%

How Education impacts an Packaging Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Engineer IV 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 IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $135,756 and $141,522.

Packaging Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging 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%

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

Understanding how a Packaging 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$117,647
Average $129,529/year
$143,630
$9,804
Average $10,794/month
$11,969
$2,262
Average $2,491/week
$2,762
$57
Average $62/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $143,630 $11,969 $2,762 $69
Average $129,529 $10,794 $2,491 $62
25th Percentile $117,647 $9,804 $2,262 $57

Packaging Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Packaging Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Packaging Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $162,469 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Packaging Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Packaging Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Packaging Engineer IV

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

A Packaging Engineer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Packaging Engineer IV is $163,375.

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

The highest pay for Packaging Engineer IV is $156,468.

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

The lowest pay for Packaging Engineer IV is $106,829.

4. What are the responsibilities of Packaging Engineer IV?

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. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of unit/department. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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