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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Engineer in California is $115,898 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.
However, a Packaging Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Packaging Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $127,747 | $10,646 | $2,457 | $61 |
| Average | $115,898 | $9,658 | $2,229 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,420 | $8,785 | $2,027 | $51 |
John Paul Mitchell Systems - Santa Clarita, CA
Destiny Packaging Inc. - Salinas, CA
Divergent - Long Beach, CA
Divergent - Los Angeles, CA
A Packaging Engineer'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 Engineer'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 |
|---|---|
| Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer | $84,922 |
| Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer | $96,828 |
| Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer | $115,026 |
| Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer | $141,770 |
| Packaging... Level Packaging Engineer | $177,823 |
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 Engineers. 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:
For Packaging Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Packaging Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Packaging Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $162,257 | $78.0 | 40% |
| Software & Networking | $156,462 | $75.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $150,667 | $72.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $144,872 | $70.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $139,077 | $67.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Packaging Engineer'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 | $127,747 | $10,646 | $2,457 | $61 |
| Average | $115,898 | $9,658 | $2,229 | $56 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,420 | $8,785 | $2,027 | $51 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Packaging Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Exploding Kittens
Los Angeles, CA
Exploding Kittens | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. The Packaging Engineer plays a critical role in bringing our games to life by developing structural packaging solutions f... more
4 Days Ago
Divergent
Irvine, CA
Divergent | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system ... more
4 Days Ago
Imperative Care
Campbell, CA
Imperative Care | Campbell, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Sr Packaging Engineer. Location. This position is based in our Campbell, California offices. This position is ... more
5 Days Ago
SAMYANG AMERICA INC
Brea, CA
SAMYANG AMERICA INC | Brea, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Samyang America. Samyang America stands as the #1 Gen Z brand, boldly shaping the future of food culture with innov... more
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SaniSure LLC
Camarillo, CA
SaniSure LLC | Camarillo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. This is a Temporary, Contract position expected to last 12 months. About SaniSure. SaniSure is a high-growth multinationa... more
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Orca Bio
Sacramento, CA
Orca Bio | Sacramento, CA
Job Description. Job Description. More than one million people in the United States today are fighting blood cancer. While a traditional allogeneic stem ce... more
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