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Packaging Science

Types of Degrees Packaging Science Majors Are Earning

People majoring in Packaging Science can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Bachelor’s Degree	301
Master’s Degree	87
Doctor’s Degree	3

What Packaging Science Majors Need to Know

Studies in Packaging Science develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Packaging Science graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

Coursework in Packaging Science emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Engineering and Technology — Importance 4.4 / 5; level 5.5 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 5.0 / 7.
• Design — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Computers and Electronics — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.9 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set emphasized by a Packaging Science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Writing — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to Packaging Science careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Written Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Packaging Science graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.4 / 7
Getting Information	4.3 / 7
Working with Computers	4.2 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.2 / 7
Analyzing Data or Information	4.1 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.1 / 7
Processing Information	4.1 / 7
Thinking Creatively	4.0 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.9 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.8 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Packaging Science professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Microsoft Project	Project management software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	✓
The MathWorks MATLAB	Analytical or scientific software	—
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks	Computer aided design CAD software	✓
Dassault Systemes CATIA	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Python	Object or component oriented development software	✓
C++	Object or component oriented development software	—
Web browser software	Internet browser software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Packaging Science graduates include:

• Lecturer
• Assistant Professor
• Instructor
• Associate Professor
• Adjunct Instructor
• Ship Construction Teacher
• Metallurgical Engineering Teacher
• Applied Mechanics Teacher
• Professor
• Drawing Instructor
• Mechanical Engineering Teacher
• Geological Engineering Teacher
• Refrigeration Engineering Teacher
• Highway Engineering Teacher
• Circuits and Robotics Instructor

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Packaging Science graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Bachelor’s degree	30.0%
Doctoral degree	20.3%
Master’s degree	11.5%
High school diploma or equivalent	8.3%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	7.7%
Post-master’s certificate	6.1%
Post-doctoral training	6.0%
Some college courses	5.4%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	1.8%
Postsecondary certificate	1.7%
Less than a high school diploma	0.6%
First professional degree	0.6%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Packaging Science?

Gender Distribution

This field has a relatively balanced gender distribution: 46.8% women and 53.2% men among Packaging Science graduates.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	183	46.8%
Men	208	53.2%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Packaging Science graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	254	65.0%
Asian	33	8.4%
Hispanic or Latino	19	4.9%
Black or African American	10	2.6%
Two or More Races	14	3.6%
Race Unknown	8	2.0%
International Students	53	13.6%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Packaging Science Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Packaging Science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$86,644
4 years	$91,137
5 years	$104,461

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $104,461 — roughly 21% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Packaging Science Worth It?

Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Packaging Science graduates earn a median of $91,137 four years after completion — roughly 140% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Engineering-Related Fields	8,633
Engineering/Industrial Management	7,766
Engineering Design	267
Engineering-Related Fields, Other	209
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians	113

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.