Material Moving Workers

How to become a Hand Packer or Packager

Official title: Packers and Packagers, Hand

Also called: Bagger, Crater, Mini Shifter, Pack Out Operator, Packager, Packaging Specialist, Packer, Picker and Packer, Sacker, Selector Packer

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

Main tasks

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.
Obtain, move, and sort products, materials, containers, and orders, using hand tools.
Mark and label containers, container tags, or products, using marking tools.
Clean containers, materials, supplies, or work areas, using cleaning solutions and hand tools.

How to become one

There are usually no formal educational requirements to become a hand laborer or material mover. They typically learn through on-the-job training that lasts 1 month or less.

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $36,280 a year The middle half earn $32,220 to $43,060.
About 555,500 people work in this job now, and about 528,000 are projected by 2035. (-5%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Hand Packer or Packager?

There are usually no formal educational requirements to become a hand laborer or material mover. They typically learn through on-the-job training that lasts 1 month or less.

How much does a Hand Packer or Packager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $36,280 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $32,220 to $43,060.

Is a Hand Packer or Packager a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 5% by 2035, from about 555,500 to about 528,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Hand Packer or Packager?

Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Hand Packer or Packager?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.