Helpers--Production Workers Career, Salary and Skills
Helpers--Production Workers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $39,070 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 165,700. Wage data is published for 368 locations.
Occupation description
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
O*NET code
51-9198.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
Less than a High School Diploma
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$39,070
Hourly median
$18.78
Employment
165,700
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Monitoring | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Operation and Control | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.62 | 2.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.62 | 2.00 |
| Speaking | 2.62 | 2.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.62 | 2.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.50 | 2.00 |
| Coordination | 2.50 | 2.00 |
Typical tasks
- Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
- Mark or tag identification on parts.
- Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
- Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.
- Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
- Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
- Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
- Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
Technology
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Operational databases
- SAP software
Helpers--Production Workers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in TXMedian $36,610 · Employment 30,470
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in CAMedian $43,970 · Employment 16,730
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $37,890 · Employment 8,640
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in Houston, TXMedian $37,290 · Employment 8,120
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in ALMedian $35,910 · Employment 7,230
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $42,490 · Employment 6,810
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in ARMedian $35,540 · Employment 6,760
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in PAMedian $41,060 · Employment 6,450
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in MOMedian $40,580 · Employment 6,250
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in TNMedian $38,330 · Employment 5,270
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in ILMedian $41,480 · Employment 5,210
- Helpers--Production Workers Salary in FLMedian $37,950 · Employment 5,010
Related careers
- Helpers--ElectriciansNational median $42,670
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $46,550
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and SharpenersNational median $50,060
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, HandNational median $42,660
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersNational median $42,360
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNational median $34,890
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersNational median $43,220
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $46,570
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.