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Hourly Wage for Packaging Machine Operator I Salary in the United States

How much does a Packaging Machine Operator I make hourly?

As of March 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Packaging Machine Operator I in the United States is $19, which translates to an annual salary of about $38,905.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $21 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $17 to $20 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $16 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $17 10% $16 90% $21 75% $20 $19 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Packaging Machine Operator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $41,884 $3,490 $805 $20
Average $38,905 $3,242 $748 $19
25th Percentile $35,691 $2,974 $686 $17
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Key Factors That Influence Packaging Machine Operator I Salaries

A Packaging Machine Operator 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 Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging Machine Operator 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 Machine Operator I (0-1 years): $38,905
  • Packaging Machine Operator II (1-3 years): $44,464
  • Packaging Machine Operator III (3-5 years): $49,370
  • Packaging Supervisor (5+ years): $84,424
  • Packaging Manager (5+ years): $114,205
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Packaging Machine Operator I0-1 years$38,905
Packaging Machine Operator II1-3 years$44,464
Packaging Machine Operator III3-5 years$49,370
Packaging Supervisor5+ years$84,424
Packaging Manager5+ years$114,205
$38,905 Packaging...
$44,464 Packaging...
$49,370 Packaging...
$84,424 Packaging...
$114,205 Packaging...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Packaging Machine Operator 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 Machine Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,076.
  • California: $42,912.
  • Massachusetts: $42,340.

Top Paying Cities for Packaging Machine Operator 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: $49,071
  • San Francisco: $48,588
  • Oakland: $47,511

What Skills Can Increase a Packaging Machine Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.8% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 2.92% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
  • 5S (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Stands for sort, sustain, set in order, standardized and shine. 5 tips that are designed to achieve clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized workplace for a more systematized work flow.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.8%
Food Safety 2.92%
5S 1.47%
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 Machine Operator I's salary.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Sustainability: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • ISO: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability
 $42,406
9%
Sustainability
 $42,017
8%
ISO
 $41,628
7%
Analysis
 $41,628
7%
Process Improvement
 $41,239
6%
Leadership
 $41,239
6%
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How Education impacts a Packaging Machine Operator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Machine Operator Is enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Machine Operator I with a No Diploma is between $34,791 and $37,321).

Packaging Machine Operator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging Machine Operator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 81.8%
High School 81.8%
Associates 9.1%
Bachelors 9.1%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Packaging Machine Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Packaging Machine Operator 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$35,691
Average $38,905/year
$41,884
$2,974
Average $3,242/month
$3,490
$686
Average $748/week
$805
$17
Average $19/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,884 $3,490 $805 $20
Average $38,905 $3,242 $748 $19
25th Percentile $35,691 $2,974 $686 $17

Salaries of jobs related to Packaging Machine Operator I

Most common benefits for Packaging Machine Operator I

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Pension
Time Off (days)
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FAQ about Packaging Machine Operator I

1. What are the responsibilities of Packaging Machine Operator I?

Sets up and operates a packaging machine in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. Fills, secures, and labels containers according to company and/or customer specifications. Verifies goods packaged against package invoices. Reads and interprets blueprints and diagrams to select, position and secure machinery. Adjusts machine settings to complete tasks accurately, according to specifications, and in a timely fashion. Documents inventory number and weight, and organizes packages. May make minor repairs to packaging equipment as needed. May have to complete an apprenticeship and/or formal training in area of specialty. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

2. What are the skills of Packaging Machine Operator I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Commitment: An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.

2.)

Food Safety: Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.

3.)

5S: Stands for sort, sustain, set in order, standardized and shine. 5 tips that are designed to achieve clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized workplace for a more systematized work flow.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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