Production
Helpers--Production Workers
Also called: Assembly Line Worker, Control Room Helper, Laminator Helper, Machine Helper
US median pay
$39,070
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-8.2%
declining
Openings a year (US)
20,900
167,400 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
- Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.
- Pack and store materials and products.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring2.8/5
- Operation and Control2.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.5/5
- Coordination2.5/5
- Time Management2.1/5
- Repairing2.1/5
- Management of Personnel Resources2.1/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Mechanical2.9/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
- Administration and Management2.7/5
- Public Safety and Security2.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Less than high school35%
- High school diploma32%
- Post-secondary certificate20%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.