Helpers--Production Workers
Also called: Abrasive Mixer Helper, Aircraft Machinist Helper, Annealer Helper, Assembly Inspector Helper, Assembly Line Worker, Automatic Pad Making Machine Operator Helper, Automotive Painter Helper, Bag Machine Operator Helper
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill.
What helpers--production workers do
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.
- 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.
- Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products.
- Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Helpers--Production Workers salary
The median annual wage for helpers--production workers is $39,070 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $31,140 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $53,410. The mean annual wage is $41,120.
The mean hourly wage of $19.00 is 2.6× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Helpers--Production Workers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $39,070 → in 3 years $42,000 → in 5 years $44,100 → in 10 years $49,900 (10-year range $42,900–$57,900). The model assumes pay growth of +2.5% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Helpers--Production Workers
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Helpers--Production Workers? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Helpers--Production Workers
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Helpers--Production Workers United States | 工場労務作業員 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $39,070 | ¥3.54M ≈ $22,488 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $49,900 | ¥4.41M |
| Outlook score | 34 | 36 |
| AI replacement risk | 39% Low | 48% Moderate |
| Workers | 166K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Helpers--Production Workers
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become helpers--production workers
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as helpers--production workers
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.