Packaging Engineer R&D Salary in the United States

How much does a Packaging Engineer R&D make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Engineer R&D in the United States is $80,141 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,796
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,962 to $85,718
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,425
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View as table View as graph 25% $72,962 10% $66,425 90% $90,796 75% $85,718 $80,141 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Packaging Engineer R&D Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $85,718 $7,143 $1,648 $41
Average $80,141 $6,678 $1,541 $39
25th Percentile $72,962 $6,080 $1,403 $35
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Key Factors That Influence Packaging Engineer R&D Salaries

A Packaging Engineer R&D'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 R&D Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging Engineer R&D'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): $79,730
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $90,909
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,995
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,104
  • Expert (over 8 years): $166,953
Levels Salary
Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer R&D$79,730
Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer R&D$90,909
Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer R&D$107,995
Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer R&D$133,104
Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer R&D$166,953
$79,730 0 yr
$90,909 < 2 yrs
$107,995 2-4 yrs
$133,104 5-8 yrs
$166,953 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Packaging Engineer R&D 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 Engineer R&Ds. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $88,732.
  • California: $88,395.
  • Massachusetts: $87,217.

Top Paying Cities for Packaging Engineer R&Ds

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: $101,081
  • San Francisco: $99,975
  • Oakland: $97,868

What Skills Can Increase a Packaging Engineer R&D's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 2.57% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Packaging Engineering (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): Packaging engineering, also package engineering, packaging technology and packaging science, is a broad topic ranging from design conceptualization to product placement. All steps along the manufacturing process, and more, must be taken into account in the design of the package for any given product. Package engineering is an interdisciplinary field integrating science, engineering, technology and management to protect and identify products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It encompasses the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. It is a system integral to the value chain that impacts product quality, user satisfaction, distribution efficiencies, and safety. includes industry-specific aspects of industrial engineering, marketing, materials science, industrial design and logistics. Packaging engineers must interact with research and development, manufacturing, marketing, graphic design, regulatory, purchasing, planning and so on. The package must sell and protect the product, while maintaining an efficient, cost-effective process cycle.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 2.57%
SOP 1.31%
Packaging Engineering 0.83%
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 R&D's salary.
  • Use Cases: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Continuous Quality Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Use Cases
$110,594
38%
Written Communication
$92,963
16%
Continuous Quality Improvement
$91,360
14%
Accountability
$89,757
12%
Communication Skills
$85,750
7%
Integrity
$85,750
7%
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Packaging Engineer R&D Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Packaging Engineer R&D 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 Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Packaging Engineer R&D positions in Chemicals or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging Engineer R&D as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Packaging Engineer R&D

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$96,169$46.020%
Financial Services$92,162$44.015%
Insurance$92,162$44.015%
Aerospace & Defense$88,155$42.010%
Construction$88,155$42.010%

How Education impacts a Packaging Engineer R&D's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Packaging Engineer R&Ds enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Engineer R&D with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $70,495 and $74,550).

Packaging Engineer R&D Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Packaging Engineer R&D
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.9%
High School 5.9%
Associates 7.6%
Bachelors 70.6%
Masters 12.6%
Doctorate 3.4%
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Packaging Engineer R&D Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Packaging Engineer R&D'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

Salary Trends for Packaging Engineer R&D

Salaries for a Packaging Engineer R&D can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,405 in 2023 to around $76,371 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Packaging Engineer R&D salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Packaging Engineer R&D Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$77,405
2024
$77,065
2025
$76,371
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $77,405
2024 $77,065
2025 $76,371
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Packaging Engineer R&D

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Packaging Engineer R&D

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

Find Your Next Packaging Engineer R&D Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Packaging Engineer R&D job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    13 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

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    13 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

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    14 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

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FAQ about Packaging Engineer R&D

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Packaging Engineer R&D?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Engineer R&D roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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