Production Workers
Production professionals operate, maintain, and monitor specialized machinery and equipment to manufacture, process, and package a wide variety of products across industries including electronics, food processing, textiles, and consumer goods. These workers perform tasks such as machine setup, quality control inspections, surface treatments, and material handling in manufacturing facilities, factories, and production plants. They ensure products meet specifications while maintaining safe and efficient production operations.
π¬Career Video
π€AI Resilience Assessment
AI Resilience Score
Score 4/6: low AI task exposure, growing job demand, limited human advantage means AI will assist but humans remain essential
How we calculated this:
23% of tasks can be accelerated by AI
+11% projected (2024-2034)
EPOCH score: 9/25
πKey Responsibilities
- β’Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
- β’Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
- β’Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
- β’Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
- β’Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
- β’Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
- β’Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
- β’Start machine by engaging controls.
π‘Inside This Career
Production professionals spend their days transforming raw materials into finished products through a blend of technical skill, precision equipment operation, and quality control. Whether operating sophisticated packaging lines that fill thousands of containers per hour, carefully hand-painting decorative ceramics, or programming computer-controlled machinery to cut precise components, these workers focus intensely on maintaining consistent output while meeting exacting specifications. A typical shift might begin with equipment setup and calibration, followed by hours of active production monitoring where split-second adjustments ensure optimal performance. Quality checks punctuate the workflow as professionals inspect samples, measure tolerances, and document results to maintain production standards.
The work environment varies dramatically across specializationsβfrom climate-controlled semiconductor fabrication facilities where technicians work in sterile cleanroom suits, to traditional pottery studios filled with kilns and clay dust, to bustling factory floors where packaging machines hum alongside conveyor systems. Many professionals collaborate closely with maintenance teams, quality inspectors, and production supervisors, troubleshooting equipment issues and coordinating changeovers between different product runs. Problem-solving skills prove essential when machines malfunction or when products don't meet specifications, requiring quick thinking to minimize downtime.
Throughout the day, production professionals balance competing priorities of speed, quality, and safety. They might spend morning hours operating automated spray-coating equipment, transition to manual touch-up work in the afternoon, and conclude their shift by cleaning equipment and preparing detailed production reports. The rhythm of manufacturing creates a structured environment where attention to detail and consistent execution directly impact the quality of products that reach consumers worldwide.
πCareer Progression
What does this mean?
This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.
πEducation & Training
Requirements
- β’Entry Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- β’Experience: Some experience helpful
- β’On-the-job Training: Few months to one year
Time & Cost
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Find jobs and training programs for production workers- Median salary: $42K/year
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π»Technology Skills
βKey Abilities
π·οΈAlso Known As
πSpecializations
This career includes 19 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.
| Specialization | Median Pay | AI Outlook | O*NET Code | Find Jobs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $63,440 | π | 51-9162.00 | View details | ||
| $54,080 | π‘ | 51-9197.00 | View details | ||
| $48,550 | π΄ | 51-9161.00 | View details | ||
| $47,250 | π | 51-9196.00 | View details | ||
| $45,850 | π‘ | 51-9141.00 | View details |
πRelated Careers
Other careers in production
πData Sources
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