Why We Love It
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$23,710Potential Avg. Salary
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1.7%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Flexible HoursCareer Attribute
The main responsibility of a professional gift wrapper is to wrap gifts for other people. Using a range of accessories, gift wrappers specialize in wrapping gifts of various shapes and sizes using flawless technique to create perfect bows, folds and creases.
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What is a Gift Wrapper?
Duties
The work of a gift wrapper is focused on the following duties:
- Wrap and bag each package in a professional manner and in accordance with specified guidelines.
- Remove price tag from packaged products and include gift receipts in wrapping.
- Clearly organized and store wrapped packages in gift wrap holding area, as assigned.
- Train other staff on how to efficiently wrap gifts for customers.
- Research trends in home design or fashion; keep up-to-date on creative ways to provide gift wrapping services for specific occasions and events through the year
Day in the life
A typical day for a gift wrapper at a big retailer or store, starts with sorting through online and client orders as assigned. Then, getting the appropriate supplies together and the stationary items needed to complete every wrapping order – e.g. sharp scissors, sheets of wrapping paper, double-sided tape and boxes or gift bags. To be a professional gift wrapper, an aspiring candidate practices wrapping gifts quickly and efficiently. On a daily basis, a gift wrapper pays attention to the smallest detail and treats every wrapping order as a little work of art.
It is the gift wrapper’s job to decide when it is appropriate to use double stick tape or bubble wrap or artfully create bows. Certain orders contain fragile and irregularly shaped items, which have to be treated accordingly. Inventiveness when it comes to working with different textures, patterns and colours is what helps a good gift wrapper stand apart from the competition.
Work schedule and typical hours
As a gift wrapper, one has to work a seven-day week and all year round. Usually, store working hours are 10 am – 9 pm on weekdays and 12 pm – 6 pm on weekends. Work hours vary within or outside store hours, including evenings or weekends when needed. The demand is high when there are festive occasions such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving or any other holiday.
In addition to working at retail stores, gift wrappers work extra hours by providing private gift wrapping services or running gift wrapping courses. Many gift wrappers do this work part-time, in combination with other retail positions.
Growth of the job
The demand for packaging professionals like gift wrappers is expected to rise, with 47,930 new jobs to be filled by 2018. Most gift wrapping jobs are dependent on holidays when profits can be made, thus very few gift wrappers do so on a full-time basis. Job outlook is favorable if your gift wrapping business has a unique selling proposition to differentiate your services from the rest of the competition.
Typical employers
Typical employers of gift wrappers include departmental, floral and retail stores – for instance, Harrods, Neiman Marcus, Hallmark, etc. Often retail stores offer seasonal positions during the holiday season, which can start out at salaries close to the minimum wage. Many professional gift wrappers are employed at gift-wrapping services or establish their independent business.
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How To Become a Gift Wrapper
There is no formal requirement of a college degree for becoming a gift wrapper. However, completing a course on gift-wrapping is helpful to find good job opportunities. Working as a professional gift wrapper in retail requires you to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. At least 6 months of customer service experience is also helpful is succeeding in this line of work professionally.
Most employers provide full on-the-job training in order to wrap every gift item quickly, efficiently, and in accordance with specified company standards. If you are interested in working free-lance or starting your own gift wrapping business, you do not have to have big overhead costs. Starting with the basics will require good scissors and double-sided tape, with lots of practice.
Marketing oneself in the desired industry will be beneficial in terms of expanding one’s business prospects. For instance, spreading news about your gift wrapping business in the local press or checking with boutiques and shops in the area, if they require gift wrapping services. In order to be a successful gift wrapper, one has to maintain high standards and have excellent time management skills. Gift wrapping requires one to be comfortable working with their hands and remain standing for long periods of time.
Gift Wrapper Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$18,870Average
$23,710High Range
$34,760National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$9/hrAverage
$11/hrHigh Range
$17/hrHow do Gift Wrapper salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Gift Wrapper's can make an average annual salary of $23,710, or $11 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $18,870 or $9 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#784 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Gift Wrappers
- 0.1% Doctorate
- 0.6% Masters
- 4.1% Bachelors
- 4.1% Associates
- 13.3% College
- 41.1% High School
- 36.6% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
695,4002024 Est. Jobs
706,900Job Growth Rate
1.7%Est. New Jobs
11,500How does Gift Wrapper job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 11,500 jobs for a total of 706,900 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 1.7% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#560 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Gift Wrappers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery stores | 144,800 | -16,100 | -16% |
| Temporary help services | 122,500 | 21,100 | 21% |
| Warehousing and storage | 46,200 | 2,200 | 2% |
