Packaging Careers Outlook
Packaging is an important element in the total U.S. economy. The industry grosses more than $100 billion a year and employs more than 200,000 workers, more than half of whom are employed in the food and beverage industry. The packaging industry is expected to continue its growth in the 21st century. There will be expanding employment for specialized engineers who can solve specific problems while understanding the total packaging concept. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that job opportunities for graphic designers will be good, as companies compete to develop enticing packaging for new products.
The shortage of trained packaging technicians has encouraged the packaging industry to promote educational programs at the technical school, continuing education, and university levels. Employers seek those who are trained in package design, materials selection, machinery functions, labeling, marketing, and environmental aspects of packaging.
American-made packaging machinery has earned a worldwide reputation for high quality and construction and is known for its outstanding control systems and electronics. Approximately one-third of the world market for packaging machinery is located in North America, but the U.S. exports packaging machinery to about 140 other countries. Continued success in global competition will remain important to the packaging machinery’s prosperity and employment outlook.
The introduction of computers, robotics, fiber optics, and vision systems into the industry has added new skill requirements and job opportunities for workers in the packaging industry. There is already widespread application of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). The role of robotics, fiber optics, and electronics will also continue to expand into the packaging industry.
With packaging one of the largest industries in the United States, jobs can be found across the country, in small towns and large cities, in small companies and multiplant international corporations. The jobs are not restricted to any one industry or geographical location; wherever there is industry, there is some kind of packaging going on.
Related Career Fields:
Related Careers:
- Advertising Account Executives
- Art Directors
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Drafters
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Food Technologists
- Graphic Designers
- Industrial Designers
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Marketing Research Analysts
- Meat Packing Workers
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Numerical Control Tool Programmers
- Packaging Engineers
- Packaging Machinery Technicians
- Plastics Engineers
- Plastics Technicians
- Precision Machinists
- Quality Control Engineers and Technicians
- Robotics Engineers and Technicians