Packers and Packagers, Hand: 559,820 jobs, median pay $36,280 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

559,820

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$36,280

Median pay a year

Middle half: $32,220–$43,060

61,800

Annual openings

10-year change: −5%

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 373 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $43,450 · LCA filings 051,020$43,4500

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $37,390 · LCA filings 025,350$37,3900

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $43,970 · LCA filings 023,180$43,9700

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $33,090 · LCA filings 019,580$33,0900

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $36,180 · LCA filings 017,960$36,1800

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $33,740 · LCA filings 011,250$33,7400

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $27,970 · LCA filings 011,200$27,9700

Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $38,400 · LCA filings 010,560$38,4000

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $34,010 · LCA filings 010,350$34,0100

Kansas City, MO–KSMedian pay $44,460 · LCA filings 08,890$44,4600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Greeley, COEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$48,7802000

Sheboygan, WIEmployment 410 · LCA filings 0$47,5504100

Hinesville, GAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$45,970500

Kansas City, MO–KSEmployment 8,890 · LCA filings 0$44,4608,8900

Lawrence, KSEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$44,370900

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $37,960 · Level III $41,579 · Level IV $45,178$34,362$37,960$41,579$45,178

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $37,523 · Level III $39,728 · Level IV $41,954$35,298$37,523$39,728$41,954

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $37,565 · Level III $41,246 · Level IV $44,928$33,883$37,565$41,246$44,928

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $31,096 · Level III $34,819 · Level IV $38,522$27,394$31,096$34,819$38,522

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $35,880 · Level III $38,542 · Level IV $41,205$33,218$35,880$38,542$41,205

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $33,467 · Level III $35,755 · Level IV $38,022$31,200$33,467$35,755$38,022

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $29,682 · Level III $31,824 · Level IV $33,987$27,518$29,682$31,824$33,987

Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $38,189 · Level III $41,454 · Level IV $44,741$34,902$38,189$41,454$44,741

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $31,325 · Level III $35,381 · Level IV $39,416$27,290$31,325$35,381$39,416

Kansas City, MO–KSLevel II $38,834 · Level III $42,162 · Level IV $45,510$35,485$38,834$42,162$45,510

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology