As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Manager in California is $126,043 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.
However, a Packaging Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Packaging Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $141,467 | $11,789 | $2,721 | $68 |
| Average | $126,043 | $10,504 | $2,424 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,659 | $9,472 | $2,186 | $55 |
TradeJobsWorkforce - Riverside, CA
Altium Packaging - Corona, CA
Veritiv - Ventura, CA
Veritiv - Escondido, CA
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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Packaging Manager | $121,422 |
| Intermediate Level Packaging Manager | $121,977 |
| Senior Level Packaging Manager | $123,825 |
| Specialist Level Packaging Manager | $126,043 |
| Expert Level Packaging Manager | $129,957 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
Packaging Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,978. While startup companies pay approximate $119,225.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $119,225 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $126,100 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $136,141 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $140,978 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $189,065 | $91.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $176,460 | $85.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $163,856 | $79.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $163,856 | $79.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $157,554 | $76.0 | 25% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $141,467 | $11,789 | $2,721 | $68 |
| Average | $126,043 | $10,504 | $2,424 | $61 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,659 | $9,472 | $2,186 | $55 |
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 $149,503 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Packaging Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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