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Skilled Trades

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 salary (BLS)

$39,070

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$31k – $53k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Helpers--Production Workers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Helpers--Production Workers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Helpers--Production Workers

    Entry / Junior

    $31,140

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Helpers--Production Workers

    Established

    $39,070

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Helpers--Production Workers

    Senior

    $46,240

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.