Production Helpers

At a Glance

Move items between work areas or feed items into machines
Usually work in factories
Work alone most of the time
Usually work 40 hours per week
Receive training on the job

Career summary

Production helpers move items between work areas or feed items into machines.

#No alternate titles CJ

Production helpers use carts, dollies, and hand trucks to move items around factories. They unload boxes from trucks and put them onto conveyor belts. They move boxes of materials from storage areas to processing areas.

Some production helpers feed or place items onto automatic equipment for processing. They may mix, put together, or add ingredients to products.

Production helpers inspect goods to make sure they meet quality standards. Sometimes products have a defect or are broken. Helpers may make repairs to defective products or take them out of the production process.

Helpers mark and sort materials. They stamp the time and date of manufacture on goods. They may record the weight and size of items.

Some helpers start, stop, and adjust machinery and other equipment. They report problems with equipment to machine operators.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to production helpers.

Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.
Load and unload items from machines, carts, and dollies.
Feed or place items onto equipment for processing.
Inspect materials to make sure they meet standards.
Fix products or add ingredients during production to meet standards.
Destroy or remove faulty products.
Separate products and record information about materials, such as weight, date, and size.
Report equipment breakdowns to machine operators.
Pack and store materials and products.

Common work activities

Production helpers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Handle and move objects
Control machines and processes
Perform activities that use the whole body
Get information needed to do the job
Identify objects, actions, and events
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Evaluate information against standards
Process information

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, production helpers:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a low level of social interaction. They work alone most of the time.
Communicate primarily by face-to-face discussions.
Work as part of a team.
Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other helpers and assistants.

Physical work conditions

Usually work indoors, but sometimes work outdoors on loading docks.
Are often exposed to contaminants.
Are often exposed to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
Are regularly exposed to hazardous situations that may produce cuts or minor burns.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment.
May be exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures while working outdoors.
May work physically near others.

Work performance

Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Errors could result in damaged products.
Must let the work pace be set by the speed of machinery.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Must meet strict daily and weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

Usually work 40 hours per week.

Physical demands

Production helpers frequently:

Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Stand for long periods of time.
Repeat the same movements.
Bend or twist their body.
Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for production helpers to be able to:

Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for production helpers to be able to:

Understand the speech of another person.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Determine the distance between objects.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Move arms and legs quickly.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Skills and abilities

Production helpers need to:

Communicate

Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand spoken information.

Reason and problem solve

Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Work with things

Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a production helper, you typically need to:

complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this occupation. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Production helpers get training on the job from an experienced worker. During training, you learn to:

use equipment necessary for the job;
load and unload materials; and
clean and prepare work sites.

Training may last from a few hours to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Manufacturing Systems
Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Some employers require production helpers to be at least 18 years old. They may also require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Employers look for applicants who are in good shape. Some employers may require applicants to pass a physical exam or prove they can lift heavy boxes. Some employers also require applicants to pass a drug-screening test.

Costs to workers

Workers may be required to buy safety boots. They may also be required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Helpers--production workers (SOC 51-9198)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.95	$12.71	$15.08	$17.92	$21.40
	Monthly	$2,071	$2,203	$2,613	$3,106	$3,709
	Yearly	$24,860	$26,440	$31,360	$37,280	$44,520
Bellingham	Hourly	$11.99	$12.53	$15.38	$18.58	$22.47
	Monthly	$2,078	$2,171	$2,665	$3,220	$3,894
	Yearly	$24,925	$26,059	$31,994	$38,647	$46,750
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$16.73	$19.18	$21.20	$23.17	$24.35
	Monthly	$2,899	$3,324	$3,674	$4,015	$4,220
	Yearly	$34,807	$39,898	$44,104	$48,195	$50,650
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$12.19	$15.15	$17.03	$18.61	$19.86
	Monthly	$2,113	$2,625	$2,951	$3,225	$3,442
	Yearly	$25,366	$31,510	$35,414	$38,709	$41,326
Longview	Hourly	$12.02	$12.57	$17.22	$23.49	$28.89
	Monthly	$2,083	$2,178	$2,984	$4,071	$5,007
	Yearly	$25,007	$26,156	$35,826	$48,867	$60,097
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$12.73	$13.84	$15.87	$20.88	$28.43
	Monthly	$2,206	$2,398	$2,750	$3,619	$4,927
	Yearly	$26,497	$28,775	$33,012	$43,420	$59,140
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$12.17	$13.49	$16.65	$18.92	$24.45
	Monthly	$2,109	$2,338	$2,885	$3,279	$4,237
	Yearly	$25,326	$28,061	$34,642	$39,364	$50,852
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$12.19	$12.90	$15.53	$18.29	$21.79
	Monthly	$2,113	$2,236	$2,691	$3,170	$3,776
	Yearly	$25,370	$26,820	$32,289	$38,048	$45,319
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$12.12	$12.67	$15.00	$18.06	$20.44
	Monthly	$2,100	$2,196	$2,600	$3,130	$3,542
	Yearly	$25,211	$26,355	$31,211	$37,580	$42,512
Vancouver	Hourly	$11.51	$12.89	$15.57	$19.13	$22.94
	Monthly	$1,995	$2,234	$2,698	$3,315	$3,976
	Yearly	$23,929	$26,806	$32,379	$39,779	$47,726
Walla Walla	Hourly	$12.89	$13.61	$14.83	$17.45	$20.96
	Monthly	$2,234	$2,359	$2,570	$3,024	$3,632
	Yearly	$26,797	$28,317	$30,852	$36,285	$43,582
Wenatchee	Hourly	$12.53	$13.24	$14.74	$17.09	$20.18
	Monthly	$2,171	$2,294	$2,554	$2,962	$3,497
	Yearly	$26,064	$27,536	$30,652	$35,546	$41,980
Yakima	Hourly	$12.20	$12.80	$14.43	$16.84	$19.14
	Monthly	$2,114	$2,218	$2,501	$2,918	$3,317
	Yearly	$25,374	$26,607	$30,018	$35,013	$39,799
United States	Hourly	$9.58	$11.06	$13.33	$16.60	$19.74
	Monthly	$1,660	$1,917	$2,310	$2,877	$3,421
	Yearly	$19,930	$23,000	$27,730	$34,540	$41,060

Machine feeders and offbearers (SOC 53-7063)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$12.68	$14.44	$17.26	$21.13	$24.33
	Monthly	$2,197	$2,502	$2,991	$3,662	$4,216
	Yearly	$26,370	$30,040	$35,890	$43,950	$50,600
Bellingham	Hourly	$15.41	$16.19	$17.47	$18.75	$19.81
	Monthly	$2,671	$2,806	$3,028	$3,249	$3,433
	Yearly	$32,057	$33,676	$36,347	$38,994	$41,191
Longview	Hourly	$13.73	$17.03	$19.97	$23.78	$26.34
	Monthly	$2,379	$2,951	$3,461	$4,121	$4,565
	Yearly	$28,562	$35,416	$41,548	$49,449	$54,777
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$14.22	$16.32	$20.11	$23.60	$25.95
	Monthly	$2,464	$2,828	$3,485	$4,090	$4,497
	Yearly	$29,564	$33,947	$41,816	$49,089	$53,995
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$12.26	$12.80	$15.38	$18.70	$22.52
	Monthly	$2,125	$2,218	$2,665	$3,241	$3,903
	Yearly	$25,492	$26,626	$31,988	$38,888	$46,855
Vancouver	Hourly	$11.30	$12.22	$13.64	$16.37	$20.21
	Monthly	$1,958	$2,118	$2,364	$2,837	$3,502
	Yearly	$23,511	$25,397	$28,372	$34,057	$42,036
Yakima	Hourly	$12.68	$13.63	$15.46	$19.44	$23.86
	Monthly	$2,197	$2,362	$2,679	$3,369	$4,135
	Yearly	$26,374	$28,341	$32,150	$40,452	$49,633
United States	Hourly	$10.32	$11.73	$14.21	$18.11	$22.53
	Monthly	$1,788	$2,033	$2,463	$3,138	$3,904
	Yearly	$21,470	$24,400	$29,560	$37,670	$46,870

Wages vary by the type of work. Wages also vary by employer and area of the country. The helper's level of experience and responsibility also affect wages.

Production helpers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

#Between 2014 and 2024, it is estimated that for helpers of production workers there will be 71 openings annually due to new positions and 229 openings annually from workers leaving this career.

#Between 2014 and 2024, it is estimated that for machine feeders and offbearers there will be 12 openings annually due to new positions and 41 openings annually from workers leaving this career.

#Updated outlook 06.16 sd

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Helpers--Production Workers (SOC 51-9198)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	3,746	6.9%	16.1%	631
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	160	3.8%	13.4%	25
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	521	-1.3%	8.6%	75
Benton and Franklin Counties	73	12.3%	15.0%	13
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	15	6.7%	11.9%	2
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	192	9.9%	15.2%	34
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	131	0.0%	14.1%	19
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	93	14.0%	14.6%	18
King County	1,275	3.1%	19.6%	200
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	154	7.8%	13.8%	26
Pierce County	219	10.0%	15.2%	38
Snohomish County	870	10.6%	12.4%	154
Spokane County	170	7.6%	13.9%	28
United States	354,600	8.8%	5.2%	57,700

Machine Feeders and Offbearers (SOC 53-7063)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	1,663	2.9%	16.1%	237
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	110	-18.2%	13.4%	8
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	76	0.0%	8.6%	10
Benton and Franklin Counties	109	23.9%	15.0%	21
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	16	0.0%	11.9%	2
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	124	6.5%	15.2%	19
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	190	0.0%	14.1%	25
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	272	1.5%	14.6%	38
King County	138	-7.2%	19.6%	15
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	477	4.6%	13.8%	70
Pierce County	130	4.6%	15.2%	19
Snohomish County	87	5.7%	12.4%	13
Spokane County	75	1.3%	13.9%	10
United States	66,200	0.2%	5.2%	8,800

National employment

About one-quarter of helpers spend most of their time feeding materials into machines.

Major employers:

Temporary worker supply agencies
Commercial printing and business forms companies
Paper product manufacturers
Animal processing companies

National outlook

Growth for this occupation will be steady. Demand depends on growth in the manufacturing industry.

Since this is a very large occupation that has a high turnover rate, there will be many job opportunities. Many workers will leave this occupation to retire or find other work.

Other resources

American Foundry Society
1695 North Penny Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173
800.537.4237
847.824.0181

Washington Business Week
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Manufacturing

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupations

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.