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The 2013 Salary Survey reveals skinny pay hikes + job security

Packaging pros saw a 3.49% average pay increase in 2012 compared to 2011, with job security and job prospects strong, according to respondents to the 2013 Institute of Packaging Professionals/Packaging World Salary Survey.

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Ascending salaries continue to reward packaging professionals, rising to an average of $110,213 for the average U.S. respondent to the 2013 annual Salary Survey conducted by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) and Packaging World magazine, developed in cooperation with Gros Executive Recruiters, a packaging sector executive recruiting firm.


In the packaging community, 2012 will go down as a year of steady, albeit unspectacular income growth, with more than reasonable job security. Compared to findings for the previous three years of the Salary Survey, 2012 respondents indicated the largest increase in compensation compared to the previous year (74%). Likewise 2012 vs. 2011 compensation change showed the greatest percentage increase compared to similar comparisons in recent years (see Table A). In 2012, packaging pros also reported the largest percentage number to receive a bonus (73%) compared to recent years, although the average bonus was about 4% less than each of the previous three years.


Although the income numbers may pale against that of say a National Football League star quarterback, packaging salaries survived the recent recession and continue to rise. Granted, the income growth falls short of dazzling.
“Compensation has increased, but these pay raises are only marginal,” says Dennis Gros, president, Gros Executive Recruiters, in looking at key factors. “Job security is way up, with 65 percent indicating their jobs are safe. Most respondents say their companies will be hiring new direct employees this year. And 60 percent say they expect to earn more money in 2013 than in 2012.


“We also notice that most packaging employees are taking advantage of the stable work environment. Forty-three percent tell us they are ‘definitely not’ or ‘not likely’ to shop for a new job during 2013. Only eight percent are currently looking for a new job, and another eight percent plan to enter the job market this year. That means employers who want to expand their packaging departments will need to source candidates very aggressively.”


Respondent details


A total of 1,589 usable replies were received from IoPP members and non-members.


The survey questionnaire was developed and posted to IoPP’s Web site between January 13 and March 3, 2013. Forty-four percent of respondents indicated they were end users of packaging machinery, materials, and/or services, while 37% worked for suppliers of these products. Another 9% said they were both an end user and supplier.


• Industries/products. Asked what industry they work in and/or what products their company sells, nearly one-fourth (24%) said packaging materials. That was followed by food (23%), medical (16%), contract packaging (14%), cosmetics/personal care products (13%), beverage (12%), packaging machinery (12%), pharmaceutical (11%), services (11%), chemical/cleaning supplies (11%), electronics (9%), automotive (9%), consulting services (8%), hardware (5%), nutraceutical (4%), and heating/plumbing (2%). Respondents could select more than one product category for this question, so percentage totals topped 100% (see the “Demographics sidebar” for more respondent details).

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