Bottling Line Employee Hourly Wages

[madbrewer13]

Anyone feel comfortable posting what they pay their hourly bottling line workers(or what you are paid)? We are interested how we compare to other breweries. Thanks.

[patrickeasy]

10 an hour starting then $1 every couple month to a total of 12 for basic packagers

patrick

[matthendry]

Depends on how big you are and if your packaging staff are able to every job from the filler , labeler and stacking boxes onto pallets so if you can train your packaging staff do it .

If they are new and never worked in a brewery before then you can pay them minimum wage for stacking the cartons but if you have a good all rounder that can operate the filler and do the other packaging jobs also then you should pay them up to $15 also if they have a forklift licence then pay them more because you probably need a fork driver who can also work the de-paletiser and a fork driver is handy to have when you need room to stack cartons or load the delivery truck .A walk behind forklift is also good for these tasks.

Ive worked on packing lines large and small including a 6 head manual filler and hand labeling with pressure sensitive labels (now that was tedious) and was most comfortable with the mid sized brewery I worked at where I operated the filler most of the time and then other times I was on the labeler or reliving the guy on the overhead carton packer or stacking pallets.

[PanConsulting]

Normally $15 to $16/hour to start depending on the size of your company. Give them a review after 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. If they are doing a good job then give them $.50 increase after their 90 day review. If not then terminate them. Give them another review after one year. If they are still doing a good job then give them another $.50 increase. Each year after that continue with reviews and give them an increase based on your budget. ~ 3%.

It is better to give employees more than one review per year if you can do this. Give raises once per year based on their reviews.

[brewkettle]

Be Careful

Give raises once per year based on their reviews.[/QUOTE]

You should have compensation and performance reviews. "Giving Raises" will lead to that entitlement thing if you give that perception.

[Lagergnome]

Bottling line workers wages

It's so variable based on where you live, however, I have seen wages from $8-$12 depending on their function. Bottle packers are not hard to find, but usually you have one guy you can count on to help the head brewer/production manager. He will identify what is about to be needed and keeps the line running smoothly, eventually he will be able to CIP and learn the machine, possibly be able to run the line to be raised to Asst. Production Manager or just Asst. Brewer. Those guys you want to keep happy, after a few months of hard work you can flush out the flakes and reward the reliable ones. Meanwhile, bottle pickers can get snapped up at or around minimum wage and some free "lowfills".