Packers and Packagers, Hand
Medium58.01%
Found in Industries:
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$25,880
Median$34,830
High (90th %)$45,100
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Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.
The occupation "Packers and Packagers, Hand" has a moderate automation risk of 58.0%, with a slightly higher base risk of 58.3%. This risk level stems primarily from the repetitive and rule-based nature of many tasks within this job. Contemporary automation technologies, such as image recognition and robotic arms, can efficiently replace roles involving routine manual labor and basic inspection. As packing and packaging are often performed in predictable environments with standardized tasks, these processes are especially amenable to automation. However, not all aspects of this occupation are equally vulnerable, and certain tasks continue to require a human touch. The top three most automatable tasks for packers and packagers include: "Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met," "Measure, weigh, and count products and materials," and "Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records." These are functions that can be executed accurately and consistently by machines equipped with sensors, cameras, and software capable of processing information quickly. Automation systems can handle high volumes with minimal errors and ensure product standards are met—making these responsibilities ideal targets for technological replacement. The ability of machines to systematically document and monitor inventory further increases the likelihood of automation encroaching on these areas. Nonetheless, the job retains activities that are more resistant to full automation. The most resistant tasks involve "Transport packages to customers' vehicles," "Load materials and products into package processing equipment," and "Place or pour products or materials into containers, using hand tools and equipment, or fill containers from spouts or chutes." These responsibilities involve physical dexterity, situational judgment, or customer interaction, all of which present considerable challenges for current robotic systems. Furthermore, bottleneck skills such as Originality—measured at just 1.6% and 0.6%—highlight that the role does not significantly depend on creative thinking or novel problem solving. As a result, while basic and repetitive functions are susceptible to automation, tasks demanding adaptability, flexible movement, or direct service to individuals are likely to slow the adoption of full automation in this occupation.
Filter by Automatable Status
Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.
Partially Automatable
Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.
Automatable
Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.
Automatable
Seal containers or materials, using glues, fasteners, nails, and hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Assemble, line, and pad cartons, crates, and containers, using hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Obtain, move, and sort products, materials, containers, and orders, using hand tools.
Partially Automatable
Mark and label containers, container tags, or products, using marking tools.
Automatable
Clean containers, materials, supplies, or work areas, using cleaning solutions and hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Load materials and products into package processing equipment.
Automatable
Transport packages to customers' vehicles.
Non-Automatable
Remove completed or defective products or materials, placing them on moving equipment, such as conveyors, or in specified areas, such as loading docks.
Automatable
Place or pour products or materials into containers, using hand tools and equipment, or fill containers from spouts or chutes.
Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceJudgment and Decision MakingManagement of Material ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationComplex Problem SolvingOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationTherapy and CounselingLaw and Government
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentThinking CreativelyEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesMaking Decisions and Solving Problems
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
High71.43%
Weigh, measure, and check materials, supplies, and equipment for the purpose of keeping relevant records. Duties are primarily clerical by nature. Includes workers who collect and keep record of samples of products or materials.
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
High69.65%
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Low32.98%
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium53.38%
Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Low31.21%
Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium48.23%
Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium57.80%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium59.40%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Medium56.41%
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium57.10%
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium61.82%
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium51.08%
Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Medium44.30%
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.16%
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.
Helpers--Production Workers
Medium60.30%
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Medium36.17%
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
High66.68%
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Floral Designers
Medium44.24%
Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.
Dishwashers
Low20.96%
Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Medium51.33%
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Medium65.21%
Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Medium58.07%
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
Medium41.19%
Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
Low31.19%
Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.
Log Graders and Scalers
Medium49.42%
Grade logs or estimate the marketable content or value of logs or pulpwood in sorting yards, millpond, log deck, or similar locations. Inspect logs for defects or measure logs to determine volume.
Bakers
Medium64.40%
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Butchers and Meat Cutters
Medium38.24%
Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
Low28.87%
Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers
Low24.83%
Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.
Food Batchmakers
Medium63.36%
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
High69.97%
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Low22.15%
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Stockers and Order Fillers
Medium56.05%
Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.