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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $38,220 in the US and is projected to decline by 9% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.57 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Monitoring, Active Listening, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Speaking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £29,619 a year for Elementary process plant occupations n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,460 to £33,739 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 9139). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Elementary occupations” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Helpers--production workers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 9. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
What you'd actually do
- Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
- Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
- Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
- Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
- Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
- Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does 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.
How much does Helpers--production workers earn?
The median annual salary for Helpers--production workers in the US is $38,220.
What is the job outlook for Helpers--production workers?
The role is projected to decline by 9% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 168,500 workers.
How do I become helpers--production workers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Helpers--production workers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Monitoring, Active Listening, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Operation and Control. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Helpers--production workers?
Our AI-durability model gives Helpers--production workers a score of 0.57 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Helpers--production workers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.