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Medication Packer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Pharmacy Tech I

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Ensure pharmacy pick stations are properly stocked with medication and supplies. Place approved ... Provide Operations Assistants with adequate packing supplies and ensure pack stations are stocked ...

Dispenses medication by compounding, packing, and labeling appropriately. * Organizes and directs ancillary staff workflow, verifying their work. * Verifies order entries and verifies daily charges.

Pharmacist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$90.16 - $106.64/hr

V. admixtures, patient medication bins, pre-packing, and other work necessitating the judgement of a pharmacist. You will respond immediately in emergency situations and disasters. To be successful ...

Pharmacist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$90.16 - $106.64/hr

V. admixtures, patient medication bins, pre-packing, and other work necessitating the judgement of a pharmacist. You will respond immediately in emergency situations and disasters. To be successful ...

Pharmacist

Oxnard, CA

$61.75 - $74.25/hr

V. admixtures, patient medication bins, pre-packing, and other work necessitating the judgement of a pharmacist. You will respond immediately in emergency situations and disasters. To be successful ...

... medication by compounding, packing, and labeling appropriately. • Organizes and directs ancillary staff workflow, verifying their work. • Verifies order entries and verifies daily charges. • ...

Pharmacist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$90.16 - $106.64/hr

V. admixtures, patient medication bins, pre-packing, and other work necessitating the judgement of a pharmacist. You will respond immediately in emergency situations and disasters. To be successful ...

Pharmacist

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$90.16 - $106.64/hr

V. admixtures, patient medication bins, pre-packing, and other work necessitating the judgement of a pharmacist. You will respond immediately in emergency situations and disasters. To be successful ...

Pharmacy Technician

West Sacramento, CA · On-site

$18.75 - $22.75/hr

Prepare cold chain and specialty prescriptions, following special handling and packing requirements ... Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations for counting and verifying medication quantities.

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Medication Packer information

See California salary details

$12

$16

$19

How much do medication packer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for medication packer in California is $16.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a medication packer do?

A Medication Packer is responsible for accurately packaging prescription and over-the-counter medications into appropriate containers for distribution to patients, pharmacies, or healthcare facilities. Their duties include labeling, sorting, and inspecting medications to ensure they meet quality and safety standards. Medication Packers play a critical role in preventing errors and maintaining the integrity of pharmaceutical products throughout the supply chain.

What are some common challenges medication packers face, and how can they be addressed?

Medication Packers often work in fast-paced environments where attention to detail is crucial to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. Common challenges include maintaining accuracy during repetitive tasks, managing high-volume workloads, and adhering to strict hygiene and safety protocols. To address these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, stay focused during shifts, and communicate proactively with supervisors and team members about any discrepancies or concerns. Many employers provide thorough training and support to help new hires succeed and reduce errors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a medication packer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Medication Packer, you need strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with packaging machinery, barcode scanners, and adherence to pharmaceutical safety protocols is typically required. Reliability, time management, and the ability to work efficiently in a team are important soft skills for this role. These qualifications and skills ensure accurate medication packaging, compliance with safety standards, and smooth workflow in pharmaceutical environments.

What is the difference between Medication Packer vs Pharmacy Technician?

AspectMedication PackerPharmacy Technician
CredentialsNone required, may need on-the-job trainingCertification or license often required
Work EnvironmentPackaging areas in pharmaceutical or healthcare facilitiesPharmacies, hospitals, or clinics
Job DutiesAssembling medication packages, labeling, quality checksDispensing medications, assisting pharmacists, managing prescriptions
Industry UsagePrimarily in pharmaceutical manufacturing and packagingIn retail and healthcare settings

While Medication Packers focus on preparing and packaging medications, Pharmacy Technicians have broader responsibilities including dispensing and patient interaction. Both roles are essential in healthcare, but Pharmacy Technicians typically require certification and work directly with pharmacists and patients.

Is being a medication packer a hard job?

Medication packer jobs typically involve repetitive tasks such as sorting, counting, and packaging medications, which can be physically demanding and require attention to detail. The work environment is usually fast-paced and may require standing for long periods, but it generally does not require advanced skills or certifications.
Infographic showing various Medication Packer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,207 per year, or $16.4 per hour.

Visual Inspection and Packing Operator

Nivagen Pharmaceuticals

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$17.25 - $20.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

About the Company:
Nivagen is a global company dedicated to enhancing lives by developing and providing cost-effective generic prescription drugs and over-the-counter products for the North American market. For over a decade, we've remained steadfast in our commitment to the core values of excellence, integrity, and respect for people. Our team of professionals collaborates tirelessly to pioneer advancements in manufacturing, distribution, and quality control, ensuring a holistic approach to healthcare. Through vertical integration of the pharmaceutical supply chain, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering dedication to excellence, we continually strive to redefine medication accessibility and affordability. We prioritize our employees' well-being by offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and robust training and development opportunities. By investing in our workforce and fostering a culture of growth and support, we empower our team to drive innovation and make a positive impact in the healthcare industry. At Nivagen, our mission is clear: to make a meaningful difference in people's lives by delivering high-quality, affordable medications while upholding the highest standards of integrity and excellence.
Job Location:
Nivagen Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sacramento, CA
3900 Duckhorn Dr, Sacramento, CA 95834.
About the Job:
Title of the Position: Visual Inspection and Packing Operator
At Nivagen, the Visual Inspection and Packaging Operator plays a critical role for performing manual visual inspection of products to ensure that defined quality standards are met. The role also involves operating manual and/or automatic leak testing machines and packing equipment to prepare products for shipment. The operator must perform activities related to sterile manufacturing, as and when required, and ensure that all operations are carried out in strict compliance with company policies, standard operating procedures, applicable regulatory requirements, and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), while upholding the highest standards of product quality and safety throughout the production process.
Responsibilities:
  • To perform the visual inspection of the filled containers manually i.e., vials (liquid and lyophilised), pre-filled syringes, cartridges and IV bags.
  • To identify the defects i.e., Volume variation, particulate matter (such as glass pieces, any type of particles, fibres, etc.) Cosmetic defects (such as cap defects, sealing defects, label flaws, printed text matter flaws, external contamination, damage, wrong labelling, cross labelling flaws etc.) and shall ensure no defective product shall be supplied to the market.
  • Reconciliation and Segregation of the good and defective containers, preparation of defect library and preparation of Knapp/qualification kits required for the qualification of automatic inspection machines.
  • Assist and prepare documents (includes SOPs, batch records), protocols required for operation and maintenance of the VI, leak testing and packing equipment.
  • Responsible for handling, collection, transportation,and storage of the semi-finished and finished products as per product storage conditions and as per process requirements.
  • Responsible for avoiding cross-contamination and mix-up errors at various stages of operations.
  • Responsible for collaborating effectively with cross-functional departments to ensure timely coordination and organization of all prerequisites, supporting the smooth operation of the department and ensuring the delivery of finished products that meet market needs and business demands.
  • Qualification/validation of the equipment and area in accordance with approved protocols, and preparation and readiness for the routine commercial manufacturing.
  • The role requires the ability to stand, walk, and perform tasks for extended periods, lift and move products up to 35 kg, and demonstrate good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for inspection and packing duties.
  • The role requires good eyesight, strong attention to detail, the ability to identify defects or discrepancies, and a basic understanding of visual inspection and packaging requirements.
  • To perform in process, check and record details in documents in accordance with approved protocols, batch records, SOPs and regulatory guidelines.
  • Collaborate closely with production staff, including operators, supervisors, and cross-functional teams, to ensure product quality and timely delivery, while actively participating in team meetings and training sessions as required.
  • Packaging of products with secondary packing materials and packing them according to company specifications. Ensure packaging is sealed, labelled correctly, and checked for completeness and accuracy.
  • Perform various packaging operations such as labelling of carton/pouch, carton/pouch packaging, weighing of carton /pouch, printing and verification of batch details on carton/pouch, tertiary packaging as per packaging configuration and standards.
  • Collaboration with warehouse, production, In process quality teams for timely support and product deliverables to meet OTIF.
  • Adhere to safety guidelines, promptly report hazards or accidents, and ensure the work area remains clean and organized.
  • Involved in daily operations, including cleaning, maintaining logs, and overseeing routine visual /packing activities to ensure efficiency and compliance
  • Tracking defect trends, maintaining control over defect storage, conducting periodic reviews, and implementing control and mitigation plans
  • Assist and Managing market complaints, conducting investigations, implementing corrective actions, and preventing future occurrences.
  • Inventory management for the consumables required for the day to day packing activities.
  • Handling of Autoclave, Isolator and Filling machine as and when required.
  • Must be aware of clean room gowning.
  • Any other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification or degree in a related field is a plus.

Experience:
  • 1-3 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, visual inspection, or packaging

Knowledge and Skills:
  • cGMP, FDA regulations, and SOPs related to sterile and non-sterile pharmaceutical production.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to detect visual defects.
  • Proficiency in operating inspection and packaging equipment.
  • Ability to follow written instructions and complete documentation accurately.
  • Good communication and teamwork skills.

Requirements:
  • Legally authorized to be employed in the United States (U.S. citizens or national, permanent residents)
  • Must live or be willing to move to the Sacramento Metropolitan Region (Approx. 40 miles' radius)
  • Able to successfully complete a drug and background check
  • Stand, walk, and perform tasks for extended periods, lift and move products up to 35 kg, and demonstrate good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for inspection and packing duties.
  • Must comply with cleanroom protocols, gowning, and PPE requirements.
  • The role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to identify defects or discrepancies, a basic understanding of quality control and packaging requirements, the capacity to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards, and good manual dexterity for handling delicate products.

Benefits:
  • Pay range $18 - $25 per hour
  • Benefits: Nivagen offers a wide variety of benefits and programs to support health and well-being, including medical, dental and vision coverage
  • Paid time off plan
  • 401 (k) savings plan

Additional Information:
Nivagen to afford equal opportunity for employment to all individuals regardless of race, color, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, history of disability, ancestry, citizenship status, political affiliation, religion, gender, transgender, gender identity, marital status, status as a parent, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information or other factors prohibited by law, and to prohibit harassment or retaliation based on any of these factors.