Helpers--Production Worker Salary
Helpers--Production Workers earn a median $39,070 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$39,070
$18.78 per hour
Range
$31,140 – $53,410
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
165,700
across the U.S.
▲2.2%
Pay trend: The median for helpers--production workers in the U.S. rose from $38,220 (May 2024) to $39,070 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What helpers--production workers do
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Apprentice workers are classified in the appropriate production occupations (51-0000).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -8.2% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 20,900
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of helpers--production workers is projected to shrink 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 20,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Helpers--Production Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$33,573
per year · effective tax rate 14.1%
$2,798Monthly
$1,399Twice a month
$1,291Every 2 weeks
$16.14Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,508
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,422
- Medicare (1.45%)$567
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$33,573
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,140 | $14.97 | $27,201 |
| 25th percentile | $35,220 | $16.93 | $30,479 |
| Median (50th) | $39,070 | $18.78 | $33,573 |
| 75th percentile | $45,990 | $22.11 | $39,133 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,410 | $25.68 | $45,095 |
Best cities for helpers--production workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $37,290 | $32,143 | $32,589 | 8,120 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $41,480 | $33,601 | $32,435 | 3,710 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $37,890 | $32,625 | $31,647 | 8,640 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $42,490 | $35,079 | $30,889 | 6,810 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $40,970 | $33,484 | $29,747 | 4,780 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $42,490
- Chicago, IL — $41,480
- New York, NY — $40,970
- Dallas, TX — $37,890
- Houston, TX — $37,290
Helpers--Production Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 | +4.4% | $39,278 | $30,940 – $60,980 | 220 |
| Montana | $46,110 | +9.5% | $37,819 | $33,280 – $50,690 | 220 |
| Iowa | $45,560 | −1.0% | $37,708 | $34,850 – $54,390 | 2,070 |
| Colorado | $45,550 | +5.9% | $37,484 | $35,810 – $54,910 | 1,350 |
| Washington | $45,450 | +4.0% | $38,699 | $37,020 – $60,560 | 3,620 |
| Oregon | $45,390 | +9.6% | $35,509 | $35,560 – $56,850 | 2,420 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 | +17.0% | $37,435 | $35,270 – $59,130 | 1,400 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 | +3.2% | $37,214 | $34,670 – $61,010 | 2,900 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 | +14.9% | $37,185 | $28,080 – $54,470 | 700 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 | +5.9% | $36,539 | $36,040 – $57,270 | 2,570 |
| Rhode Island | $44,720 | +22.6% | $37,052 | $31,300 – $56,370 | 210 |
| Maryland | $44,680 | +4.1% | $36,322 | $32,210 – $61,060 | 1,650 |
| Hawaii | $44,380 | +3.9% | $35,960 | $35,430 – $62,820 | 230 |
| Maine | $44,120 | +4.9% | $35,834 | $33,180 – $57,910 | 470 |
| California | $43,970 | +0.7% | $36,190 | $36,640 – $62,130 | 16,730 |
| New York | $43,540 | +4.9% | $35,410 | $35,140 – $58,250 | 3,810 |
| New Hampshire | $42,740 | +11.4% | $36,522 | $35,480 – $47,340 | 690 |
| Alaska | $42,530 | −1.1% | $36,353 | $37,210 – $63,760 | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $42,280 | +7.7% | $34,258 | $34,390 – $58,050 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $42,210 | +10.5% | $34,880 | $31,270 – $50,740 | 2,450 |
| Kentucky | $42,130 | +7.9% | $34,675 | $35,730 – $54,420 | 2,900 |
| Michigan | $41,660 | +4.0% | $34,134 | $32,240 – $50,240 | 3,610 |
| Illinois | $41,480 | +3.2% | $33,601 | $36,550 – $59,590 | 5,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,060 | +4.3% | $33,911 | $31,110 – $54,550 | 6,450 |
| Missouri | $40,580 | +3.1% | $33,816 | $34,330 – $56,160 | 6,250 |
| Wyoming | $40,200 | +0.4% | $34,481 | $30,060 – $63,840 | 280 |
| Nevada | $39,730 | −0.4% | $34,103 | $28,810 – $51,960 | 680 |
| Arizona | $39,680 | +6.0% | $33,280 | $33,930 – $48,740 | 1,350 |
| Ohio | $39,600 | +1.0% | $33,692 | $33,330 – $51,840 | 4,280 |
| Vermont | $39,540 | −14.9% | $33,060 | $34,790 – $63,190 | 270 |
| North Carolina | $39,410 | +5.0% | $32,782 | $30,350 – $50,580 | 4,350 |
| New Jersey | $39,290 | −0.6% | $33,092 | $32,440 – $58,520 | 4,450 |
| West Virginia | $39,190 | −3.2% | $32,597 | $31,670 – $55,860 | 670 |
| Delaware | $38,380 | +2.9% | $31,565 | $35,090 – $47,180 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $38,330 | +2.7% | $32,978 | $30,280 – $51,120 | 5,270 |
| Idaho | $38,240 | −0.5% | $31,987 | $32,460 – $47,380 | 1,140 |
| Florida | $37,950 | +3.5% | $32,673 | $30,970 – $49,270 | 5,010 |
| Virginia | $37,740 | +3.7% | $31,148 | $31,000 – $52,000 | 3,900 |
| Kansas | $37,320 | −2.4% | $30,884 | $30,640 – $51,000 | 1,430 |
| Utah | $37,110 | +3.3% | $31,294 | $31,690 – $51,540 | 1,000 |
| South Carolina | $36,610 | +1.4% | $30,557 | $26,570 – $50,830 | 1,950 |
| Texas | $36,610 | +0.9% | $31,596 | $28,420 – $47,840 | 30,470 |
| Louisiana | $36,400 | −1.4% | $30,722 | $28,160 – $49,100 | 3,710 |
| Georgia | $36,280 | +0.9% | $30,071 | $28,470 – $50,100 | 4,480 |
| Oklahoma | $36,240 | +3.2% | $30,214 | $27,460 – $46,710 | 2,200 |
| Alabama | $35,910 | +4.0% | $29,503 | $27,060 – $45,840 | 7,230 |
| New Mexico | $35,650 | +1.5% | $30,259 | $30,820 – $46,200 | 810 |
| Arkansas | $35,540 | −0.1% | $29,563 | $34,270 – $44,600 | 6,760 |
| Mississippi | $33,880 | +6.2% | $28,779 | $30,420 – $47,440 | 3,540 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender | $41,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.8% |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender | $46,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.3% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.6% |
| Tire Builder | $57,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $39,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | $38,020 | No formal educational credential | -18.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a helpers--production worker make?
The national median salary for helpers--production workers is $39,070 a year ($18.78 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,140 and the top 10% earn over $53,410. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays helpers--production workers the most?
North Dakota has the highest median pay at $46,170. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many helpers--production workers are there in the U.S.?
About 165,700 people work as helpers--production workers nationwide.