Packers and Packagers, Hand Salary in California
The median pay for a packers and packagers, hand in California is $36,550/year ($17.57/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $54K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $37K get you in California?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level packers and packagers, hands (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $54K or more, a $20K spread from bottom to top.
Packers and Packagers, Hand salary by metro in California
25 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $41K | +11% | 5,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $41K | +11% | 3,000 |
| Modesto | $40K | +9% | 1,670 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $39K | +6% | 13,600 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $39K | +6% | 830 |
| Napa | $37K | +2% | 230 |
| Yuba City | $37K | +2% | 270 |
| Vallejo | $37K | +1% | 750 |
| El Centro | $37K | +1% | 320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $37K | +0% | 3,200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $37K | -0% | 5,160 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $36K | -0% | 26,530 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $36K | -1% | 910 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $36K | -2% | 410 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $36K | -3% | 390 |
| Salinas | $36K | -3% | 2,450 |
| Redding | $35K | -3% | 180 |
| Chico | $35K | -3% | 310 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $35K | -4% | 3,560 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $35K | -4% | 410 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $35K | -4% | 2,090 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $35K | -5% | 2,900 |
| Fresno | $34K | -6% | 5,030 |
| Visalia | $34K | -8% | 1,770 |
| Merced | $33K | -9% | 1,190 |
Showing 1–10 of 25 metros
Compare to other states
Track packers and packagers, hand salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do packers and packagers, hands make in California?
The median is $36,550 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,620, and experienced packers and packagers, hands can clear $53,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,564/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 96.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a packers and packagers, hand salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median packers and packagers, hand salary is worth about $34,436 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do packers and packagers, hands get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.