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Packaging Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Packaging Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Manager in the United States is $114,291 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $141,028
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,075 to $128,286
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $92,863
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Packaging Manager Salaries

A Packaging Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging Manager'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $110,106
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $110,608
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,282
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $114,291
  • Expert (over 8 years): $117,842
Levels Salary
Entry Level Packaging Manager$110,106
Intermediate Level Packaging Manager$110,608
Senior Level Packaging Manager$112,282
Specialist Level Packaging Manager$114,291
Expert Level Packaging Manager$117,842
View as Graph

How Do Packaging Managers 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $126,543.
  • California: $126,063.
  • Massachusetts: $124,383.

Top Paying Cities for Packaging Manager

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: $144,155
  • San Francisco: $142,577
  • Oakland: $139,572

What Skills Can Increase a Packaging Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 2.7% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • KPI (Mentioned in 1.48% Job Postings): KPI stands for key performance indicator, a quantifiable measure of performance over time for a specific objective.
  • Inventory Control (Mentioned in 0.79% Job Postings): Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 2.7%
KPI 1.48%
Inventory Control 0.79%
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 Manager's salary.

  • Packaging Design: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Packaging Design $125,720
10%
Written Communication $124,577
9%
Collaboration $121,148
6%
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Packaging Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Packaging Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,942. While startup companies pay approximate $108,236.

Packaging Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $108,236
Growth Stage 51~500 $114,472
Established 501~5000 $123,551
Enterprise 5000+ $127,942

Packaging Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Packaging Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Packaging Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Packaging Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$171,436$82.050%
Biotechnology$160,007$77.040%
Aerospace & Defense$148,578$71.030%
Energy & Utilities$148,578$71.030%
Software & Networking$142,864$69.025%

How Education impacts an Packaging Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Manager 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 Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,609 and $125,201.

Packaging Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 21.1%
High School 21.1%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 73.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Packaging Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Packaging Manager'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
$103,075
Average $114,291/year
$128,286
$8,590
Average $9,524/month
$10,691
$1,982
Average $2,198/week
$2,467
$50
Average $55/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $128,286 $10,691 $2,467 $62
Average $114,291 $9,524 $2,198 $55
25th Percentile $103,075 $8,590 $1,982 $50

Packaging Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Packaging Manager

Next Role

For a Packaging Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Machine Operator Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $135,556 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Packaging Manager

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

Common company salaries for Packaging Manager

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

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FAQ about Packaging Manager

1. Where can a Packaging Manager earn the most?

A Packaging Manager'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 Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Packaging Manager is $144,155.

2. What is the highest pay for Packaging Manager?

The highest pay for Packaging Manager is $141,028.

3. What is the lowest pay for Packaging Manager?

The lowest pay for Packaging Manager is $92,863.

4. What are the responsibilities of Packaging Manager?

Manages and oversees the packaging staff on designated shift to achieve operational objectives. Observes, analyzes, and researches packaging line operation to develop and implement scientific and efficient process. Implements quality control check to ensure the packaging meets environment, health, and safety regulations. Provides staff with directions on materials and equipment for each package. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Extensive knowledge of department processes. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 to 3 years supervisory experience may be required.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Packaging Manager?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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