Production Occupations
OCCUPATION | JOB SUMMARY | ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION | 2010 MEDIAN PAY | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assemblers and Fabricators |
Assemblers and fabricators assemble both finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make engines, computers, aircraft, toys, electronic devices, and more. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $28,360 | |
Bakers |
Bakers mix and bake ingredients according to recipes to make a variety of breads, pastries, and other baked goods. |
Less than high school | $23,450 | |
Dental Laboratory Technicians |
Dental laboratory technicians use impressions, or molds, of a patient’s teeth to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental appliances. They work closely with dentists but have limited contact with patients. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $35,140 | |
Food Processing Occupations |
Food processing occupations include butchers and meat cutters; meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers; and operators and tenders of roasting, baking, and drying machinery. These workers cut, trim, or otherwise process food items, such as meat, or nonfood items, such as tobacco, for retail sale. |
Less than high school | $23,950 | |
Food Processing Operators |
Food processing operators include food batchmakers and food cooking machine operators and tenders. These workers may set up, operate, and tend cooking equipment that mixes, blends, cooks, or otherwise processes ingredients used to manufacture food products. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $24,250 | |
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers |
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, manufacture, and sell jewelry. They also adjust, repair, and appraise gems and jewelry. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $35,170 | |
Laundry and Dry-cleaning Workers |
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers clean clothing, linens, drapes, and other articles, using washing, drying, and dry-cleaning machines. They also may clean leather, suede, furs, and rugs. |
Less than high school | $19,540 | |
Machinists and Tool and Die Makers |
Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled or mechanically-controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $39,910 | |
Medical Appliance Technicians |
Medical appliance technicians construct, fit, and repair medical supportive devices, including prosthetic limbs, arch supports, facial parts, and foot and leg braces. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $35,670 | |
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers |
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $31,910 | |
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians |
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians make prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are also commonly known as manufacturing opticians, optical mechanics, or optical goods workers. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $27,970 | |
Painting and Coating Workers |
Painting and coating workers paint and coat a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry, and candy. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $31,170 | |
Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers |
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $65,360 | |
Printing Workers |
Printing workers produce print material in three stages: prepress, press, and binding and finishing. They review specifications, identify and fix problems with printing equipment, and assemble pages. |
See How to Become One | $33,150 | |
Quality Control Inspectors |
Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from manufacturers’ or industry specifications. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $33,030 | |
Semiconductor Processors |
Semiconductor processors oversee the manufacturing of electronic semiconductors, which are commonly known as integrated circuits or microchips. These microchips are found in all electronic devices—including cell phones, cars, and laptops—and are an important part of modern life. |
Associate’s degree | $33,130 | |
Sewers and Tailors |
Sewers and tailors sew, join, reinforce, or finish clothing or other items. They may create new pieces of clothing from patterns and designs or alter existing garments to fit customers better. |
Less than high school | $25,850 | |
Slaughterers and Meat Packers |
Slaughterers and meat packers kill and clean animals, divide carcasses into manageable sections, and grind or otherwise prepare and pack products, such as boxed beef, for shipping to distribution centers. |
Less than high school | $23,380 | |
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators |
Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $52,140 | |
Upholsterers |
Upholsterers make, replace, and repair coverings on furniture and in vehicles. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $29,960 | |
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators |
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $40,770 | |
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers |
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers weld or join metal parts. They also fill holes, indentions, or seams of metal products, using hand-held welding equipment. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $35,450 | |
Woodworkers |
Woodworkers build a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $28,010 |
Publish Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012