Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Packers and packagers, hand (SOC 53-7064) employed 559,820 people in May 2025. The median pay is $36,280 a year ($17.44 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,890 and the highest-paid 10% more than $47,100. BLS projects its employment to change by -5.0% between 2025 and 2035 (about 61,800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: No formal educational credential.
Highest median pay: Kansas ($44,460), New Jersey ($43,840), Alaska ($41,670). Most jobs: California (79,730), New Jersey (71,260), Texas (46,510).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| 25th percentile | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| Median | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Mean | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| 75th percentile | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $47,100 | $22.64 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 555,500 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 528,000 |
| Change in jobs | -27,500 |
| Percent change | -5.0% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 61,800 |
| Self-employed share | 1.1% |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7,050 | 0.93 | $31,770 | $23,390 | $43,410 | -12% | 41% |
| Alaska | 560 | 0.48 | $41,670 | $25,620 | $60,440 | +15% | 42% |
| Arizona | 7,380 | 0.63 | $37,060 | $30,580 | $47,950 | +2% | 54% |
| Arkansas | 3,050 | 0.65 | $33,930 | $27,900 | $46,080 | -6% | 35% |
| California | 79,730 | 1.22 | $37,260 | $34,360 | $48,330 | +3% | 68% |
| Colorado | 4,120 | 0.40 | $40,730 | $35,510 | $50,310 | +12% | 54% |
| Connecticut | 4,280 | 0.70 | $35,890 | $34,010 | $46,620 | -1% | 52% |
| Delaware | 2,030 | 1.16 | $37,290 | $32,830 | $57,250 | +3% | 49% |
| District of Columbia | 170 | 0.07 | $40,910 | $36,910 | $49,510 | +13% | 57% |
| Florida | 38,860 | 1.09 | $28,280 | $27,080 | $42,990 | -22% | 77% |
| Georgia | 17,380 | 0.99 | $33,260 | $26,430 | $45,510 | -8% | 54% |
| Hawaii | 2,010 | 0.89 | $35,930 | $29,120 | $50,030 | -1% | 65% |
| Idaho | 2,020 | 0.65 | $36,920 | $23,000 | $48,150 | +2% | 45% |
| Illinois | 23,270 | 1.06 | $36,090 | $31,240 | $46,570 | -1% | 44% |
| Indiana | 9,690 | 0.84 | $37,420 | $30,180 | $48,960 | +3% | 35% |
| Iowa | 4,090 | 0.73 | $37,470 | $29,870 | $48,000 | +3% | 31% |
| Kansas | 9,900 | 1.91 | $44,460 | $30,060 | $45,380 | +23% | 29% |
| Kentucky | 5,900 | 0.82 | $36,850 | $29,430 | $50,310 | +2% | 32% |
| Louisiana | 2,280 | 0.33 | $27,710 | $19,700 | $46,580 | -24% | 46% |
| Maine | 1,460 | 0.63 | $36,330 | $30,470 | $45,860 | +0% | 40% |
| Maryland | 4,230 | 0.43 | $35,860 | $31,390 | $47,340 | -1% | 58% |
| Massachusetts | 15,330 | 1.17 | $34,200 | $31,270 | $44,010 | -6% | 65% |
| Michigan | 15,590 | 0.98 | $35,340 | $29,400 | $43,860 | -3% | 40% |
| Minnesota | 5,460 | 0.51 | $40,310 | $29,590 | $50,930 | +11% | 38% |
| Mississippi | 3,490 | 0.83 | $33,240 | $20,570 | $44,530 | -8% | 36% |
| Missouri | 5,910 | 0.56 | $37,670 | $29,890 | $46,800 | +4% | 34% |
| Montana | 1,490 | 0.81 | $34,960 | $22,980 | $45,950 | -4% | 40% |
| Nebraska | 3,010 | 0.82 | $38,880 | $28,870 | $49,500 | +7% | 34% |
| Nevada | 3,750 | 0.67 | $37,400 | $28,520 | $47,520 | +3% | 55% |
| New Hampshire | 3,300 | 1.34 | $30,700 | $29,210 | $40,100 | -15% | 61% |
| New Jersey | 71,260 | 4.62 | $43,840 | $32,220 | $47,310 | +21% | 49% |
| New Mexico | 1,050 | 0.33 | $28,070 | $25,670 | $45,220 | -23% | 48% |
| New York | 14,830 | 0.43 | $37,260 | $32,830 | $47,720 | +3% | 53% |
| North Carolina | 19,600 | 1.10 | $34,360 | $24,500 | $45,350 | -5% | 47% |
| North Dakota | 470 | 0.30 | $31,440 | $22,240 | $42,480 | -13% | 37% |
| Ohio | 20,700 | 1.04 | $37,000 | $29,780 | $47,360 | +2% | 35% |
| Oklahoma | 3,900 | 0.63 | $34,520 | $22,660 | $44,030 | -5% | 36% |
| Oregon | 6,370 | 0.90 | $36,190 | $31,100 | $45,400 | -0% | 53% |
| Pennsylvania | 22,990 | 1.05 | $36,960 | $28,870 | $48,190 | +2% | 41% |
| Rhode Island | 1,830 | 1.01 | $36,730 | $31,200 | $48,310 | +1% | 46% |
| South Carolina | 7,610 | 0.92 | $32,180 | $25,870 | $44,050 | -11% | 47% |
| South Dakota | 1,040 | 0.63 | $28,760 | $24,110 | $43,560 | -21% | 42% |
| Tennessee | 14,030 | 1.19 | $35,980 | $26,940 | $46,990 | -1% | 43% |
| Texas | 46,510 | 0.92 | $33,090 | $23,550 | $44,220 | -9% | 53% |
| Utah | 5,740 | 0.92 | $36,060 | $22,880 | $46,240 | -1% | 53% |
| Vermont | 810 | 0.74 | $39,440 | $32,830 | $46,270 | +9% | 40% |
| Virginia | 7,790 | 0.53 | $35,000 | $27,240 | $46,880 | -4% | 56% |
| Washington | 11,940 | 0.93 | $39,220 | $34,740 | $53,510 | +8% | 56% |
| West Virginia | 1,140 | 0.45 | $28,740 | $21,970 | $44,480 | -21% | 37% |
| Wisconsin | 13,130 | 1.24 | $36,010 | $28,080 | $47,700 | -1% | 38% |
| Wyoming | 340 | 0.33 | $32,110 | $23,310 | $42,180 | -11% | 37% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan, WI | 410 | $47,550 | $30,180 | $50,870 | 1.87 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 8,890 | $44,460 | $32,830 | $45,380 | 2.25 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4,270 | $44,010 | $36,980 | $56,310 | 0.57 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 23,180 | $43,970 | $32,220 | $46,840 | 2.22 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 51,020 | $43,450 | $33,010 | $47,310 | 1.49 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 3,600 | $42,410 | $35,970 | $52,630 | 0.88 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 1,960 | $41,800 | $29,240 | $49,220 | 2.97 |
| Anchorage, AK | 340 | $41,690 | $25,710 | $59,730 | 0.54 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 5,750 | $41,610 | $35,010 | $52,350 | 0.67 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,800 | $41,350 | $36,020 | $50,550 | 0.48 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,620 | $40,680 | $35,220 | $57,160 | 2.31 |
| Wichita, KS | 810 | $40,360 | $23,640 | $41,530 | 0.73 |
| Morristown, TN | 370 | $40,280 | $22,340 | $53,100 | 2.15 |
| Reno, NV | 1,050 | $40,240 | $32,120 | $47,470 | 1.05 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 350 | $39,890 | $33,890 | $49,920 | 0.81 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 3,070 | $39,890 | $29,440 | $50,200 | 0.44 |
| Bellingham, WA | 330 | $39,880 | $35,330 | $49,080 | 1.00 |
| Napa, CA | 310 | $39,070 | $35,020 | $49,090 | 1.12 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 1,520 | $38,880 | $29,410 | $45,460 | 0.85 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 780 | $38,800 | $29,020 | $44,340 | 1.33 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 780 | $38,670 | $35,940 | $48,070 | 1.66 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 400 | $38,630 | $21,730 | $49,330 | 1.18 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 710 | $38,470 | $36,260 | $47,820 | 0.96 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 10,560 | $38,400 | $34,540 | $56,170 | 1.71 |
| Syracuse, NY | 510 | $38,350 | $32,240 | $46,040 | 0.47 |
| Tucson, AZ | 640 | $38,180 | $30,640 | $45,750 | 0.45 |
| Evansville, IN | 370 | $38,100 | $30,370 | $46,070 | 0.76 |
| Columbus, OH | 6,050 | $38,090 | $31,610 | $47,100 | 1.52 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 2,850 | $37,970 | $29,190 | $60,140 | 2.10 |
| Vallejo, CA | 690 | $37,950 | $34,320 | $48,950 | 1.33 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 640 | $37,900 | $30,200 | $46,940 | 1.39 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 5,140 | $37,840 | $32,040 | $50,260 | 0.60 |
| Kenosha, WI | 1,040 | $37,810 | $30,800 | $46,530 | 3.84 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,760 | $37,790 | $30,420 | $51,650 | 1.46 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3,530 | $37,730 | $30,090 | $52,800 | 0.31 |
| Asheville, NC | 820 | $37,690 | $26,980 | $45,960 | 1.26 |
| Boise City, ID | 820 | $37,670 | $26,210 | $49,820 | 0.58 |
| Jackson, TN | 530 | $37,670 | $26,830 | $50,180 | 1.73 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 380 | $37,560 | $26,880 | $45,230 | 1.51 |
| Lancaster, PA | 1,470 | $37,550 | $29,210 | $47,380 | 1.61 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 680 | $37,540 | $30,940 | $47,270 | 0.47 |
| Lebanon, PA | 470 | $37,510 | $30,890 | $43,340 | 2.46 |
| Reading, PA | 990 | $37,510 | $29,170 | $58,640 | 1.57 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 2,280 | $37,500 | $30,050 | $53,230 | 0.93 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,900 | $37,450 | $33,770 | $47,940 | 0.90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 3,110 | $37,450 | $34,320 | $46,580 | 0.80 |
| Akron, OH | 940 | $37,440 | $30,260 | $47,360 | 0.82 |
| Appleton, WI | 830 | $37,440 | $30,640 | $49,620 | 1.86 |
| Cleveland, OH | 3,600 | $37,440 | $30,660 | $50,220 | 0.97 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | 2,080 | $37,430 | $29,610 | $56,920 | 2.26 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 25,350 | $37,390 | $34,890 | $46,560 | 1.12 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 460 | $37,390 | $28,560 | $45,220 | 1.72 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 570 | $37,280 | $30,240 | $44,740 | 1.30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 2,690 | $37,280 | $31,530 | $47,090 | 0.56 |
| Toledo, OH | 920 | $37,260 | $30,050 | $48,170 | 0.87 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 520 | $37,080 | $32,240 | $46,600 | 0.32 |
| Peoria, IL | 550 | $37,050 | $31,200 | $44,820 | 0.92 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 3,330 | $37,040 | $31,960 | $59,770 | 0.84 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 6,500 | $37,030 | $27,740 | $46,320 | 1.33 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 660 | $36,940 | $32,240 | $46,150 | 0.68 |
The median is $36,280 a year ($17.44 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $27,890 and the highest-paid tenth over $47,100 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
559,820 in May 2025, and BLS projects -5.0% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: No formal educational credential (BLS).
Kansas, with a median of $44,460 (among states with published figures).