New Wild Jobs Every MondayNew Jobs Every MondayGet the Free Digest

Packer Jobs

3 open listings · updated Sep 13, 2026

33% include housing · Pay report

Packer jobs are stock positions that move gear, food and people into the backcountry on mules and horses. Employers are hunting outfitters, pack stations, the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, trail crews and fire camps. Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, California and Washington post the most.

More About Packer Jobs

A packer loads and balances panniers, throws a diamond or Decker hitch, leads a string of 5 to 10 head over mountain trails, cares for and shoes stock, and manages feed and picket lines in camp. Summer positions support trail crews and rangers; fall positions support hunting camps.

Pay is commonly $150 to $250 per day at outfitters and pack stations, or $20 to $28 per hour at agencies, with a bunkhouse at the pack station and camp lodging in the field. Employers require proven packing skill; this is not entry-level. Shoeing ability raises pay.

Agencies hire packers from February through April for June to September seasons supporting trail crews, wilderness rangers and fire camps. Outfitters hire in June and July for fall hunting camps, when a packer may move a string every other day between the trailhead and camps 10 to 20 miles in. Packers who can shoe their own string and doctor a sore back are the first hired and the last let go.

Questions About Packer Jobs

How many Packer jobs are open right now?

3 listings are live on WildWork as of September 13, 2026. 0 state their pay and 1 include housing.

Do Packer jobs come with housing?

33% of current listings say the employer provides housing, free or at a charge, and 33% include meals. Each listing shows whether housing is included and what it costs when the employer says.

How do I learn to pack?

Work a season as a wrangler at a pack station or dude ranch with a packing program, take a packing school (several outfitters and colleges in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho run week-long courses), or apprentice under an experienced packer. Employers want to see you throw a hitch, not read about it.

What do packers get paid?

Outfitters and pack stations commonly pay $150 to $250 per day with lodging. Federal and state agency packers are hourly, typically $20 to $28. Packers who can shoe stock earn more.

What's the difference between a packer and a wrangler?

A wrangler cares for riding stock and leads guests. A packer loads and moves pack stock with cargo, usually without guests, and needs to balance loads, tie hitches and handle a string alone in rough country.

New wild jobs every Monday.

Free. One email every Monday with every new listing. Unsubscribe any time.