Occupation · SOC 51-9198
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.
Median wage
$38,220
$30,060–$52,120
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
167,490
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
18 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlCoordinationTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingTroubleshootingService OrientationRepairingEquipment MaintenanceSystems AnalysisMathematicsLearning StrategiesInstructingEquipment SelectionActive LearningWritingSystems EvaluationPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
MechanicalProduction and ProcessingMathematicsEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsTransportationEngineering and TechnologyCustomer and Personal ServiceDesignBuilding and ConstructionChemistryCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentPsychologyPhysicsTelecommunicationsSales and MarketingFood ProductionMedicine and DentistryAdministrativeSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingForeign LanguageEconomics and AccountingHistory and ArcheologyGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyFine ArtsBiology
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAutodesk AutoCADEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordOperational databasesSAP software
Representative tasks
Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAssisting and Caring for OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersTraining and Teaching OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesThinking CreativelyStaffing Organizational UnitsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Loading and unloading tasks — perform under direct supervision by transferring items between machines, conveyors, and conveyances on a production floor.Basic machinery operation — assist a machine operator in starting and stopping equipment following written startup procedures in a manufacturing facility.Product placement — position items onto work surfaces or into equipment for further processing under step-by-step guidance from a line supervisor.Quality indicators — recognize visible defects or irregularities in finished products by comparing them to posted standard samples at an inspection station.Machine attachment removal — remove simple attachments or waste material from machines following demonstrated procedures at an assigned workstation.Manual lifting techniques — lift and carry raw materials and packed items using proper body mechanics under supervisor coaching on a production line.Equipment startup sequence — follow a printed checklist to start assigned machines or equipment at the beginning of a scheduled production run.Workplace instructions — listen to and carry out verbal and written directions from operators and supervisors during routine production tasks.Malfunction awareness — identify unusual sounds, vibrations, or visual cues that may signal equipment trouble and immediately report them to an operator.Workstation safety rules — apply basic safety protocols, including PPE use and housekeeping standards, during all assigned helper tasks on the production floor.
developing
Material loading workflow — load and unload items from multiple machine types and conveyors with minimal supervision, maintaining pace with production schedules.Production machinery assistance — operate assigned production equipment at a routine level, adjusting settings within defined parameters to support output targets.Processing line placement — position products accurately on work surfaces or in equipment across several product types, adapting to varying sizes and specifications.Quality conformance checks — examine products against established quality standards, documenting out-of-spec items on inspection logs at a production workstation.Equipment startup and shutdown — execute full startup and shutdown sequences for assigned machines, verifying readiness before each production cycle.Operations monitoring — observe multiple pieces of equipment during a shift, distinguishing normal operating conditions from early signs of malfunction.Hoist and lifting aid operation — use manual hoists and mechanical lifting aids to move heavy raw materials and finished goods safely across the production floor.Waste and scrap removal — systematically remove machine waste, scrap, and used attachments according to disposal and recycling procedures during and after production runs.Peer coordination — communicate clearly with machine operators and co-workers to synchronize task handoffs and maintain smooth workflow along the production line.Production record entry — record basic production data such as unit counts and downtime events using facility software or paper logs at the end of each shift.
proficient
Multi-machine loading coordination — independently manage loading and unloading across several machines on a production line, prioritizing tasks to prevent bottlenecks.Autonomous equipment operation — operate a range of production machinery without direct oversight, troubleshooting minor issues and adjusting controls to maintain output quality.Complex product staging — stage diverse product types on work surfaces or in processing equipment, adapting placement methods to meet varying downstream process requirements.In-process quality verification — conduct systematic quality conformance inspections throughout a production run, identifying trends and escalating recurring defects to quality personnel.Malfunction diagnosis and escalation — differentiate between minor equipment irregularities and critical malfunctions, taking appropriate corrective action or escalating with a detailed report.Heavy materials handling — safely direct the movement of large or heavy raw materials and finished goods using hoists and material-handling equipment across the full facility.Attachment and tooling changeovers — perform scheduled machine attachment changes and tooling swaps independently, following changeover procedures to minimize production downtime.Production data utilization — interpret production schedules, work orders, and basic ERP data to plan daily task sequencing and resource use at the workstation level.Cross-functional communication — relay equipment status updates, quality findings, and safety concerns clearly to supervisors, maintenance staff, and quality teams during a production shift.Mentored task demonstration — guide newer helpers through correct loading, placement, and inspection techniques, reinforcing safety and quality standards at the workstation.
advanced
Production helper workflow design — develop and standardize loading, placement, and inspection procedures for an entire helper team across multiple production lines in a manufacturing facility.Continuous improvement leadership — identify inefficiencies in material handling and equipment support tasks, propose process improvements, and lead implementation with production and engineering teams.Quality system stewardship — establish and maintain quality check protocols for helper roles, ensuring conformance standards are consistently applied and updated across production shifts.Equipment reliability advocacy — analyze recurring malfunction patterns observed by helper staff, present findings to maintenance leadership, and drive preventive maintenance scheduling.Team training program development — design and deliver structured on-the-job training for new and developing production helpers, incorporating safety, machinery, and quality competencies.Production capacity planning support — collaborate with supervisors and planners to assess helper staffing needs, shift assignments, and task allocation in response to changing production volumes.Safety culture reinforcement — model and enforce safe lifting, PPE, and hazard-reporting behaviors across the helper workforce, contributing to facility-wide safety performance metrics.Cross-shift knowledge transfer — lead structured shift handover communications that capture equipment status, quality issues, and task progress, ensuring continuity across production shifts.Technology adoption facilitation — guide helper teams in adopting new production tracking tools or ERP-linked data entry processes, supporting digital integration on the production floor.Performance standard setting — establish measurable output, accuracy, and conduct expectations for production helper roles and provide ongoing feedback to develop a dependable, high-quality workforce.
Also known as
604 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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