Warehouse Associate
Receive, pick, pack and ship orders that keep stores and customers supplied.
- $40,240
- Days (on the job)
Transportation & Logistics career
Hand Packer
Also called: Packer · Packager · Order Packer · Fulfillment Packer
What hand packers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a hand packer do?
Packers and packagers, hand, pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials. The median pay is $36,280 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow -5.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$36,280$17.44/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-5.0%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year61,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few days on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs555,500Employment, 2025
What hand packers do
Hand packers get orders ready to ship. They pick and pack items into boxes, add packing material, label packages, check for damage and keep counts accurate in warehouses, fulfillment centers, food plants and stores.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects decline, though large size means many openings.
Typical duties
- Pack products
- Add packing material
- Label packages
- Check for damage
- Count items
- Seal boxes
- Keep stations clean
Work environment and schedule
Packers work in warehouses, fulfillment centers and plants.
Schedule: Full or part time, with seasonal peaks and overtime.
A day in the life
- Start at the pack station.
- Pack online orders.
- Scan and label.
- Break.
See a full day in the life of a hand packer →
Hand Packer salary
Half of hand packers earned more than $36,280 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,890 for the lowest 10% to $47,100 for the top 10%.
Full hand packer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a hand packer
- Apply to a warehouse
- Complete safety training
- Learn the station
- Hit rates
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a hand packer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Packing
- Scanning
- Labeling
- Counting
- Damage checks
People skills
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Reliability
- Stamina
All hand packer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy entry
- Seasonal work available
- Many openings
- Short training
Cons
- Repetitive
- Standing
- Productivity targets
- Low pay
Certifications and licenses
- Safety training: Employer.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
- Food handler card: For food packers.
- OSHA 10: Helpful.
Career path
- Packer: Entry.
- Lead Packer: Lead.
- Quality Checker: Quality.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Hand Packer training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as pack a fragile item for shipping and hit packing rate without errors, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Packaging Machine Operator
Run machines that fill, seal, label and package products.
- $43,220
- A few weeks to months on the job
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Track what comes in and goes out of warehouses, stores and plants.
- $45,260
- 1–4 weeks
Stock Associate
Keep shelves full and pick orders in stores and warehouses.
- $37,330
- Several days
Compare: Hand Packer vs. Warehouse Associate · Hand Packer vs. Packaging Machine Operator · Hand Packer vs. Shipping Clerk · Hand Packer vs. Stock Associate
Hand Packer FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline, but there are many openings.
Is there seasonal work?
Yes, especially at holidays.
How much does a hand packer make?
The median annual wage for hand packers was $36,280 ($17.44 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,890 and the highest 10% earned more than $47,100.
How long does it take to become a hand packer?
Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a hand packer?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-7064 (Packers and packagers, hand).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Packers and packagers, hand (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.