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Skilled Trades

Packers and Packagers, Hand

Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

Median salary (BLS)

$36,280

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$28k – $47k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Packers and Packagers, Hand

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Packers and Packagers, Hand" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Packers and Packagers, Hand

    Entry / Junior

    $27,890

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Packers and Packagers, Hand

    Established

    $36,280

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Packers and Packagers, Hand

    Senior

    $41,690

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.
  • •Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.
  • •Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.
  • •Seal containers or materials, using glues, fasteners, nails, and hand tools.
  • •Assemble, line, and pad cartons, crates, and containers, using hand tools.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.