Packers and Packagers, Hand Salary in Des Moines, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Packers and Packagers, Hand in Des Moines, IA have a median annual salary of $37,540, with 680 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $30,940 at the 10th percentile to $47,270 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$37,540

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$18.05

Employment

680

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$30,940
10th
$35,690
25th
$37,540
Median
$43,010
75th
$47,270
90th

Local compared with national

Des Moines, IA

$37,540

Median annual · 2025

United States

$36,280

Median annual · 2025

The Des Moines, IA median is 3.5% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $1,260).

Top skills

  1. 1.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 2.8
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.8
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.6
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 2.6
  6. 6.CoordinationImportance 2.6
  7. 7.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 2.3
  8. 8.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.3
  9. 9.Time ManagementImportance 2.3
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 2.1
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.1
  12. 12.Service OrientationImportance 2.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Common 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.
  • Remove completed or defective products or materials, placing them on moving equipment, such as conveyors, or in specified areas, such as loading docks.
  • Place or pour products or materials into containers, using hand tools and equipment, or fill containers from spouts or chutes.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Packers and Packagers, Hand salary in other locations