Hand packer
Also known as: e-commerce packer, manual packaging operative, picker and packer, packer and warehouse operative, order filler and packer, e-commerce packer and shipper
About this occupation
Hand packers collect, pack and label goods and materials by hand. They ensure that all goods and materials are packed according to instructions and requirements.
Essential skills and knowledge
- pack goods
- lift heavy weights
- secure goods according to work orders
- packaging processes
- comply with checklists
- use packaging equipment
- ensure correct goods labelling
- follow written instructions
- types of packaging materials
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Packers and Packagers, Hand (O*NET 53-7064.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Enterprising
Top skills: Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Coordination
US median pay: US$36,280 a year (2025), 559,820 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers
- Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
- Helpers--Production Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.