How much does a helpers--production worker make?
The median helpers--production worker in the United States earns $39,070 per year, about $18.78 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all helpers--production workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9198.
Helpers--production worker salary range
Pay for helpers--production workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,140 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $53,410. The average (mean) wage of $41,120 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,140 | $14.97 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,220 | $16.93 | |
| Median (50th) | $39,070 | $18.78 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $45,990 | $22.11 | |
| 90th percentile | $53,410 | $25.68 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for helpers--production workers (SOC 51-9198), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Helpers--production worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Helpers--production workers earn the most in North Dakota at $46,170 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $33,880. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 | 220 |
| Montana | $46,110 | 220 |
| Iowa | $45,560 | 2,070 |
| Colorado | $45,550 | 1,350 |
| Washington | $45,450 | 3,620 |
| Oregon | $45,390 | 2,420 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 | 1,400 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 | 2,900 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 | 700 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 | 2,570 |
| Rhode Island | $44,720 | 210 |
| Maryland | $44,680 | 1,650 |
| Hawaii | $44,380 | 230 |
| Maine | $44,120 | 470 |
| California | $43,970 | 16,730 |
| New York | $43,540 | 3,810 |
| New Hampshire | $42,740 | 690 |
| Alaska | $42,530 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $42,280 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $42,210 | 2,450 |
| Kentucky | $42,130 | 2,900 |
| Michigan | $41,660 | 3,610 |
| Illinois | $41,480 | 5,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,060 | 6,450 |
| Missouri | $40,580 | 6,250 |
| Wyoming | $40,200 | 280 |
| Nevada | $39,730 | 680 |
| Arizona | $39,680 | 1,350 |
| Ohio | $39,600 | 4,280 |
| Vermont | $39,540 | 270 |
| North Carolina | $39,410 | 4,350 |
| New Jersey | $39,290 | 4,450 |
| West Virginia | $39,190 | 670 |
| Delaware | $38,380 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $38,330 | 5,270 |
| Idaho | $38,240 | 1,140 |
| Florida | $37,950 | 5,010 |
| Virginia | $37,740 | 3,900 |
| Kansas | $37,320 | 1,430 |
| Utah | $37,110 | 1,000 |
| South Carolina | $36,610 | 1,950 |
| Texas | $36,610 | 30,470 |
| Louisiana | $36,400 | 3,710 |
| Georgia | $36,280 | 4,480 |
| Oklahoma | $36,240 | 2,200 |
| Alabama | $35,910 | 7,230 |
| New Mexico | $35,650 | 810 |
| Arkansas | $35,540 | 6,760 |
| Mississippi | $33,880 | 3,540 |
State median wages for helpers--production workers (SOC 51-9198), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for helpers--production workers
The BLS projects employment of helpers--production workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 8.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 167,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 153,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 20,900 openings a year for helpers--production workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a helpers--production worker
The typical entry-level education for helpers--production workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a helpers--production worker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (North Dakota, $46,170) and the lowest (Mississippi, $33,880) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 165,700 people work as helpers--production workers in the United States. At $39,070 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Helpers--production worker salary FAQ
How much does a helpers--production worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a helpers--production worker is $18.78. The middle half of helpers--production workers earn between $16.93 and $22.11 per hour.
What is the highest helpers--production worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of helpers--production workers earn more than $53,410 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a helpers--production worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a helpers--production worker is $39,070. The average (mean) wage of $41,120 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a helpers--production worker a well paid job?
At $39,070 a year, a helpers--production worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 165,700 people work as helpers--production workers in the United States.
Which state pays helpers--production workers the most?
North Dakota has the highest median salary for helpers--production workers at $46,170 a year. Montana ($46,110) and Iowa ($45,560) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a helpers--production worker a good career?
Employment of helpers--production workers is projected to shrink 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 20,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a helpers--production worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for helpers--production workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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