Prevailing Wage for Packers and Packagers, Hand
Prevailing wages for Packers and Packagers, Hand (SOC 53-7064) are set by the DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level baggers to fully competent packagers and packaging specialists. Whether you're a crater working in industrial shipping or a pack-out operator in food processing, the wage floor varies significantly by worksite city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level packagers with limited hands-on experience, typically performing routine tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level follow standardized procedures and require direct instruction. Most employers filing for newly hired baggers or pack-out operators with no prior packaging experience use this level.
Level 2 applies to qualified packagers who work with moderate supervision and bring some relevant experience to the role. This is the most common filing level for Packers and Packagers, Hand, covering workers who can handle standard packaging tasks independently across most production environments.
Level 3 covers experienced packagers who work largely independently, handle varied or complex packaging tasks, and may informally guide newer workers. Employers typically file at this level for workers with several years of demonstrated experience across multiple packaging methods or product lines.
Level 4 applies to fully competent packagers in senior or lead roles, exercising independent judgment across all aspects of the occupation. Workers at this level may oversee packaging line operations, troubleshoot quality issues, or carry specialized expertise in high-complexity packaging environments.
Prevailing Wage for Packers and Packagers, Hand by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Packers and Packagers, Hand and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for Puerto Rico metro wage floors
Several Puerto Rico metros, including Aguadilla and Mayaguez, report zero prevailing wages for this occupation, meaning DOL has no local wage data. If your job offer is sited there, the employer must use a different data source to establish compliance, and you should verify what floor applies before signing.
Check if your job title matches SOC 53-7064
Titles like Bagger, Crater, and Mini Shifter all map to SOC 53-7064, but employers sometimes file LCAs under production or materials-handler codes instead. A misfiled SOC can mean a lower prevailing wage applies, so confirm the certified LCA lists 53-7064 before your visa is processed.
Understand why Alaska and Colorado metros pay more
Metros like Fairbanks and Greeley consistently show higher prevailing wages for hand-packaging roles because regional OES surveys reflect tight local labor markets and higher costs of living. If your offer is in a lower-wage metro, the gap versus these benchmarks can exceed several thousand dollars annually.
Find employers sponsoring packagers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate lists packaging and hand-packer roles from employers with verified H-1B and green card sponsorship history. You can filter by location and see which companies have actually sponsored Packers and Packagers, Hand before, narrowing your search to realistic sponsorship opportunities.
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Find Jobs for Packers and Packagers, HandPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 53-7064.00 alongside Packers and Packagers, Hand, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Bagger Prevailing Wage
Bagger Prevailing Wage
Bagger positions fall under SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Crater Prevailing Wage
Crater Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Crater for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Mini Shifter Prevailing Wage
Mini Shifter Prevailing Wage
Mini Shifter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Pack Out Operator Prevailing Wage
Pack Out Operator Prevailing Wage
Pack Out Operator positions fall under SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Packager Prevailing Wage
Packager Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Packager for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Packaging Specialist Prevailing Wage
Packaging Specialist Prevailing Wage
Packaging Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Packer Prevailing Wage
Packer Prevailing Wage
Packer positions fall under SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Picker and Packer Prevailing Wage
Picker and Packer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Picker and Packer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sacker Prevailing Wage
Sacker Prevailing Wage
Sacker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Selector Packer Prevailing Wage
Selector Packer Prevailing Wage
Selector Packer positions fall under SOC 53-7064.00 (Packers and Packagers, Hand). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Packers and Packagers, Hand?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages for each occupation by metropolitan area. For Packers and Packagers, Hand, DOL sets four wage levels based on experience and supervision requirements. Employers must certify on an LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level before USCIS processes most work visa petitions.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
The four levels reflect increasing experience and independence. Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified with moderate supervision, Level 3 is experienced and largely independent, and Level 4 is fully competent with senior or lead responsibilities. Your level depends on the duties, supervision, and experience described in your job offer, not your title alone. Review the employer's LCA filing through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm which level was certified.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same packaging role vary so much by city?
DOL sets wages using regional OES surveys, so local labor market conditions drive the number. A packager role in Fairbanks, AK or Boulder, CO reflects higher local wages and tighter labor supply, while rural or lower-cost metros produce lower floors. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, so if your employer moves you between facilities, the certified wage level for the new location applies, not the original one.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot get an LCA certified by DOL if the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the worksite location and experience level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS will not approve an H-1B or other LCA-dependent petition. If you've already received an offer, ask the employer to confirm the certified LCA wage level and compare it to your offer. A gap is a compliance issue the employer must resolve before filing.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 53-7064 in any metropolitan area. Select the occupation code, choose your worksite metro, and review all four wage levels. OFLC updates these figures periodically, so check the effective date of the wage determination. For sponsored job searches, Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Packers and Packagers, Hand roles, helping you target companies already familiar with the LCA process.
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