Hand Packers & Packagers Description OES Code: 989020 Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials. Exclude workers whose jobs require more than minimum training. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: minimum minimum – $8.60 New, experienced: minimum minimum – $9.49 3 yrs+ experience: $7.00 minimum – $12.50 A few employers are union. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Regular/full time employees average 34 hours per week, while part time staff average 17 hours per week. Most employees in this occupation are seasonal. For those employers who offer benefits, medical insurance and vacation is offered by most. Few employers offer benefits for part time staff. Employment Trends Employment 1996 98,570 Projected Employment 2006 133,280 Growth Rate 1996-2006 35.2% Openings due to Separations 30,900 Employment Trends by California County Most employers report employment growth to remain stable while many see it growing, over the next three years. Most employers report no difficulty in finding inexperienced or experienced staff. Advancement Most persons hired into this position filled temporary to seasonal positions. Few employers promote into this occupation from lower level positions such as General Laborer or Clean-up Worker. Employers promote from this occupation to higher level positions such as Machine Operator or Forklift Driver, or into supervisory positions. Getting the Job & Other Information Employers recruit for this occupation through employee referrals. Some also recruit through unsolicited applicants. Additional help can be found at the local California Employment Development Department offices. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Most employers report that recent new hires have completed high school or the equivalent. Many also report that they have hired staff with less than high school or the equivalent. Most employers do not require work experience, however, some employers will accept training as a substitute. Skills & Other Requirements Employees should have material handling skills and the knowledge of safe equipment operating procedures. Physical attributes of this occupation include: the ability to stand continuously for 2 hours or more, ability to use hands, arms & fingers good hand-eye coordination; the ability to work varying shifts; and, good color perception. Personal skills include: the ability to perform routine, repetitive work, the ability to learn from on-the-job training; attention to detail ; ability to interact well with others; ability to work under pressure; the ability to work independently; the ability to work as part of a team; willingness to work with close supervision; and the ability to follow oral instructions. Employers report using drug tests to screen applicants, and some also use Police Record checks and reading or math aptitude tests to screen applicants. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.