Packer - 3rd shift

As per the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act remains $7.25 per hour as of 2026. Packing jobs qualify as non-exempt work, requiring overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. State minimums are higher in 30 states, such as $16.00 per hour in California.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for packers and packagers, hand (SOC 53-7062) is $15.92 ($33,100 annually) based on May 2023 data, with 10th percentile at $12.35 per hour and 90th at $21.07 per hour. Wages average $16.94 per hour nationally. Entry-level packing jobs start at $14.00 to $16.00 per hour depending on location.

As per USCIS, foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural packing jobs use the H-2B visa, with a fiscal year 2026 cap of 66,000 base visas plus up to 64,000 supplementals from prior appropriations. Employers must obtain labor certification from DOL and file Form I-129, costing $460 filing fee. Processing time is 2-4 months.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, packers and packagers need no formal educational credential and no previous work experience. Training is short-term on-the-job, typically 1 month or less. About 70% of jobs require high school diploma or equivalent for safety and literacy reasons.