# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-production-workers
- SOC code: 51-9198.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $39,070 (10th percentile $31,140, 90th percentile $53,410)
- Projected growth: Decline, -8.2%
- Openings a year: 20,900
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCE)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 92 |
| Investigative (I) | 5 |
| Artistic (A) | 2 |
| Social (S) | 11 |
| Enterprising (E) | 15 |
| Conventional (C) | 57 |

## What you'd do

- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 87/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 84/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 72/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 71/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 71/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 71/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 70/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 69/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 67/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 66/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Coordination, Social Perceptiveness

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, English Language, Mechanical, Administration and Management, Education and Training, Public Safety and Security, Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Administrative

## 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, Baggage Handler, Bander Machine Helper

## Related careers

- [Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-installation-maintenance-and-repair-workers): $39,630 median pay
- [Helpers--Extraction Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-extraction-workers): $47,730 median pay
- [Machine Feeders and Offbearers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machine-feeders-and-offbearers): $41,220 median pay
- [Helpers--Carpenters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-carpenters): $43,780 median pay
- [Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-brickmasons-blockmasons-stonemasons-and-tile-and-marble-setters): $47,550 median pay
- [Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-painters-paperhangers-plasterers-and-stucco-masons): $40,470 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.