Occupation · SOC 51-9199
Production Workers, All Other
All production workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$38,820
$30,370–$59,600
Projected growth
+0.5%
Slower than average
Annual openings
150
per year
Employed (US)
277,060
Job Zone —
Core skills
Operations MonitoringMonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingActive ListeningQuality Control AnalysisSpeakingReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalEnglish LanguageMathematicsEducation and Training
Technology & tools
Internet browser softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareEnterprise application integration softwareTime accounting softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Safety and sanitation regulations — follow and apply under direct supervisor guidance on an active production floor.Attendance and hours records — enter basic data into time accounting software with support from a lead technician.Materials and components — inspect for visible defects or damage using established checklists on a manufacturing line.Work orders and production schedules — read and interpret simple documents to identify assigned tasks during a shift.Production equipment — monitor operating status and report abnormal sounds or readings to a supervisor immediately.Hand tools and basic instruments — select and use correctly under direct supervision during routine assembly tasks.Quality control standards — recognize and flag nonconforming products for review by a senior production technician.Near-vision inspection tasks — perform close-up examination of parts and components for surface defects at a production station.Verbal instructions from supervisors — listen actively and confirm understanding before beginning assigned production tasks.Personal protective equipment and lockout/tagout procedures — apply consistently at the start of each shift on the production floor.
developing
Safety and sanitation compliance — enforce regulations among peers and document violations using standard reporting forms on a production line.Attendance and hours records — maintain accurate logs independently using time accounting or enterprise scheduling software across a full work week.In-process materials and finished products — inspect systematically against quality specifications and record findings in a database interface.Production charts and work orders — analyze and reconcile multiple documents to prioritize tasks and adjust workflow during a standard shift.Equipment operations — monitor multiple machines simultaneously and make minor control adjustments to maintain output within tolerance.Spreadsheet software — enter and organize production output data to identify trends or discrepancies across a weekly reporting cycle.Quality defect patterns — analyze recurring issues using quality control data and communicate findings clearly to a shift supervisor.Manual dexterity and control precision — apply during repetitive assembly or machine-tending tasks to maintain consistent product quality.Production schedules and team assignments — read and explain to new workers, ensuring all personnel understand daily output targets.Critical incidents on the floor — identify root causes of minor equipment malfunctions and escalate with documented observations to maintenance staff.
proficient
Safety and sanitation programs — enforce autonomously across an entire production area, including coaching workers and updating compliance records.Complex attendance and labor data — compile, audit, and analyze using time accounting and enterprise application integration software for payroll accuracy.Incoming, in-process, and outgoing materials — conduct comprehensive defect inspections, apply statistical sampling methods, and approve or reject batches independently.Production charts, schedules, and performance reports — analyze holistically to identify bottlenecks, adjust staffing priorities, and optimize throughput on a multi-line floor.CAD or technical drawings — interpret and cross-reference with physical components to verify dimensional conformance during production runs.Non-routine equipment malfunctions — diagnose using operations monitoring techniques and coordinate corrective action with maintenance without halting production unnecessarily.Quality control analysis — lead structured problem-solving sessions, apply root-cause methodologies, and implement corrective measures across a production department.Cross-functional communication — present production performance data clearly to supervisors and support staff using spreadsheet and database reporting tools.Regulatory and public safety requirements — interpret updated standards, translate requirements into floor-level procedures, and verify implementation across shifts.Problem sensitivity — detect early indicators of process drift or product quality degradation and initiate corrective protocols before defect rates escalate.
advanced
Safety and sanitation strategy — develop and deploy facility-wide policies, lead compliance audits, and establish accountability frameworks across all production shifts.Workforce records and labor management systems — oversee the design and integrity of enterprise time accounting and database systems supporting a multi-department facility.Quality assurance architecture — design inspection protocols, set acceptance criteria, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that reduce defect rates across product lines.Production planning and capacity optimization — analyze organization-wide schedules, resource constraints, and performance data to set operational targets and direct resource allocation.Technology adoption — evaluate and implement new CAD, ERP, or enterprise integration software to improve production monitoring and reporting capabilities.Organizational training programs — develop and deliver technical curricula for production technicians, aligning training content with current O*NET competency standards and industry best practices.Cross-departmental performance improvement — lead root-cause investigations, apply lean or Six Sigma methodologies, and institutionalize corrective actions across the production organization.Regulatory and public safety leadership — represent the organization in external audits, liaise with regulatory agencies, and ensure full compliance across all manufacturing operations.Strategic workforce development — mentor emerging and developing technicians, design career pathways, and build bench strength within the production department.Organizational culture of excellence — model and promote integrity, dependability, and achievement orientation to establish high-performance norms across the entire production workforce.
Also known as
2,750 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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