Canning and Preserving Industry Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that packaging and filling machine operators and tenders, a category which includes canning and preserving industry workers, will experience faster than average employment growth through 2032. Situations may vary, however, according to the food product, the location of the factory, the timing of the retirement of older workers, and other factors. In the fish canneries in Alaska, for example, employment levels are related to weather and other natural factors that vary from year to year. Job growth may also be affected by the increase use of automated equipment and computer technology and the consolidation of companies throughout the food processing, food packaging, and food canning industries.

Job opportunities will arise as canning and preserving industry workers retire or leave their positions for other jobs. Workers with related manufacturing experience will have the best chances of finding work.