Helpers--Production Workers
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Also called: Helper · Material Handler · Press Helper
Median pay (national)
$38,220
$30,060–$52,120 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
167,490
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-8.9%
~23,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for helpers--production workers shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $52,120 versus $30,060 at the bottom 10% — 1.7x. The median of $38,220 leaves roughly 36% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -8.9% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 23,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Vermont pays the most for this role (median $46,480, +22% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $22,120 — a 110% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
- Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
- Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.
- Pack and store materials and products.
- Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.
- Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
- Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
- Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
- Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
- Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
Tools & technology
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- SAP software
- Operational databases
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics