Salary guide, May 2025
Packaging Technician pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Raleigh-Cary, NC was $62,080 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $50,830 and $75,220.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $2,440 below the national median of $64,520, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Packaging Technician is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,430 | $50,830 | $62,080 | $75,220 | $82,680 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.32 | $24.44 | $29.85 | $36.17 | $39.75 |
BLS estimated 1,360 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.65.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,120 | $55,010 | $64,520 | $78,780 | $95,170 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.17 | $26.45 | $31.02 | $37.88 | $45.76 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Packaging Technician median is $62,080. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 1.19 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.65 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $49,540 | $60,420 | $68,210 |
| May 2025 | $50,830 | $62,080 | $75,220 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Raleigh-Cary, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,200 | $46,020 to $62,400 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,910 | $59,760 to $75,090 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
The Raleigh-Cary, NC market features a Packaging Technician wage profile mapped to SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics. Manufacturing Headhunters notes that while core competencies involve case packers, palletizers, and fillers, the reported data covers the entire mechanical maintenance occupation, not just dedicated packaging roles. S. national median of $64,520.
The local middle-band width for Raleigh is $24,390, a figure that is higher than the national band width of $23,770.
Median change in Raleigh from May 2024 to May 2025 was $1,660. National industry markers provide context for specialized sectors that often drive higher wages in the broader mechanic category, such as Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing at $94,200 and Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing at $83,790. Because these national figures are occupation-by-industry metrics, they represent broader industry trends rather than local facility-level offers. BLS reporting strictly limits compensation data to base salary and does not include auxiliary plant benefits.
Comparisons to local hubs like Goldsboro, NC, which reports a median of $60,200, and Rocky Mount, NC, at $61,910, show slight variations across the region. With a location quotient of 0.65, Raleigh maintains a steady concentration of these mechanical roles. Employers focusing on PMMI mechatronics certification or advanced changeover proficiency should recognize that the SOC definition includes general industrial equipment repair, which may possess different seniority or shift requirements than those needed for specific line production environments.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How does the Raleigh-Cary median change compare to the national trend?
Raleigh-Cary saw a median increase of $1,660 between May 2024 and May 2025, which reflects a positive adjustment in local market conditions. This is compared to a national median change of $760 for the same period.
Are the listed national industry wages applicable to local technicians?
No, the national industry figures like $94,200 for Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing represent broader sectoral averages. These provide context for potential proven pay but do not reflect the specific median for local packaging technicians.
Does the location quotient indicate candidate availability?
No, the location quotient measures the concentration of employment for this role in the Raleigh-Cary area compared to the national average. It does not provide information regarding the current availability of local talent for hire.
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