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Summer Cannery Jobs (NOW HIRING)

COTA - Travel Contract

Salinas, CA · On-site

$30.50 - $40.75/hr

... each summer. Pinnacles National Park is about 35 miles east of Salinas, and the area also offers access to scenic drives along Highway 1 and day trips to Cannery Row in Monterey. Salinas offers a ...

Summer Cannery information

See salary details

$8

$17

$32

How much do summer cannery jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer cannery in the United States is $17.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer cannery?

Summer cannery jobs are seasonal positions at food processing facilities, typically operating during the summer months when crops are harvested and need to be preserved. Workers in these roles may be involved in tasks such as sorting, cleaning, packing, and labeling fruits, vegetables, or seafood for canning and distribution. These jobs often require standing for long periods, working in fast-paced environments, and following strict safety and hygiene guidelines. Many students and temporary workers take summer cannery jobs to earn extra income during the peak season.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work in a summer cannery?

To thrive as a Summer Cannery Worker, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and the ability to follow safety and quality procedures, usually with no formal education required but sometimes with prior manufacturing experience preferred. Familiarity with conveyor belts, food processing machinery, and basic safety equipment is beneficial. Reliability, teamwork, and strong communication skills help you stand out in this fast-paced, team-oriented environment. These abilities ensure efficient production, quality assurance, and a safe workplace during the busy canning season.

What are common challenges faced when working in a summer cannery, and how can they be managed?

Working in a summer cannery often involves long hours on your feet, repetitive tasks, and a fast-paced environment to keep up with production goals. Common challenges include physical fatigue, adapting to shift work, and maintaining safety standards around machinery. These can be managed by staying hydrated, taking scheduled breaks, wearing proper protective gear, and communicating with supervisors about any concerns. Building good relationships with team members also helps in managing workloads and creating a supportive work environment.

What is the difference between Summer Cannery vs Food Processing Worker?

AspectSummer CanneryFood Processing Worker
CertificationsNone required, some safety trainingBasic food safety training often preferred
Work EnvironmentSeasonal, outdoor or indoor canning facilitiesIndoor processing plants, assembly lines
Industry UsageFood preservation, canning during summer monthsGeneral food manufacturing and packaging

Summer Cannery workers focus on seasonal canning tasks, often in outdoor or specialized facilities, while Food Processing Workers handle a broader range of food manufacturing tasks year-round. Both roles require safety awareness but differ mainly in seasonality and specific job duties.

More about Summer Cannery jobs

What cities are hiring for Summer Cannery jobs?

Cities with the most Summer Cannery job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Cannery jobs?

The most popular types of Cannery jobs are:

What states have the most Summer Cannery jobs?

States with the most job openings for Summer Cannery jobs include:

Infographic showing various Summer Cannery job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 31% Full Time, 59% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,434 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Cannery Production / Warehouse Forklift Driver

Stanislaus Food Products

Modesto, CA • On-site

$27.44 - $31.05/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Cannery Production / Warehouse Forklift Driver

Position: Cannery Production / Warehouse Forklift Driver

Department: Operations

Classification: Union

Pay: $27.44-$31.05

Stanislaus Mission: To attract quality-oriented restaurateurs with consistently superior tomatoes and olive oil, keep them through legendary service, and invest in talented people who share our dedication to customer success.

The Company: Stanislaus Food Products is a nationally recognized, family-owned company known for crafting the finest Italian-style tomatoes and sauces for top-quality Italian restaurants and pizzerias.

If you take pride in the quality of your work and prefer working on a team of talented individuals who share your passion for excellence, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity!

Primary Duties:

  • Operate forklift for physical movement and shipment of goods in and out of the production and warehouse areas.
  • Obtain written or verbal instructions from immediate supervisor.
  • Check pallets for accurate stacking.
  • Load and unload highway trucks

Seasonal Requirements:

  • During our summer Fresh Pack tomato season, our Modesto production facilities operate 24/7.
  • Must be able to work any shift during our summer Fresh Pack tomato season.
  • Overtime is required up to 12 hours daily during our tomato processing season.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Pass all pre-employment screenings, which may include drug screening exam, physical exam with lifting (40-50 lbs.) and bending requirements, and I9 verification.
  • Be flexible with shift change requirements and have reliable transportation throughout the season.
  • Must be able to work long hours, including weekends.
  • Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and written in English.
  • Maintain reliable attendance throughout the season.

Pay and Benefits:

  • Competitive on Industry Pay
  • Health, Vision, Dental Benefit Packages
  • Retirement savings benefits including pension plan
  • Paid Vacation and Company Holidays
  • 401k Program
  • Production based performance bonus
  • Other available benefits.

Stanislaus Food Products is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

Qualifications

Behaviors:

Preferred: Dedicated Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Preferred: Team Player Works well as a member of a group

Motivations:

Preferred: Flexibility Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.