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Production Jobs — US Salaries

105 occupations · about 8,565,770 US workers · top-paid Nuclear Power Reactor Operators at $122,890 — BLS OEWS May 2025.

How much do production jobs pay in the US?

The Production field (SOC 51) covers 105 detailed US occupations employing about 8,565,770 people. Median pay across its 105 priced occupations runs from $34,890 to $122,890 a year, with Nuclear Power Reactor Operators the highest-paid at $122,890 (BLS OEWS May 2025). The US all-occupations median is $50,980. Updated annually from BLS OEWS.

Source:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)·As of May 2025 national estimates · updated annually · last refreshed

Occupations

105

in this field

US workers

8,565,770

total employment

Top median

$122,890

highest-paid job

Lowest median

$34,890

of priced jobs

Every production occupation, by median pay

Production occupations by national annual median wage, BLS OEWS May 2025
OccupationMedianMeanUS workers
Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsSOC 51-8011$122,890$121,3805,150
Power Distributors and DispatchersSOC 51-8012$106,730$111,3208,520
Power Plant OperatorsSOC 51-8013$102,040$99,79029,320
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersSOC 51-8093$96,710$90,63033,160
Gas Plant OperatorsSOC 51-8092$87,820$88,71018,030
Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsSOC 51-8021$78,620$83,96028,250
Chemical Plant and System OperatorsSOC 51-8091$78,120$79,97016,610
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersSOC 51-1011$74,450$76,600673,430
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersSOC 51-9162$68,120$72,21028,500
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersSOC 51-2011$65,380$71,42034,020
Tool and Die MakersSOC 51-4111$64,050$66,86056,930
Layout Workers, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4192$63,870$66,5205,970
Model Makers, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4061$63,340$68,5702,610
Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersSOC 51-6092$62,750$71,4202,950
Timing Device Assemblers and AdjustersSOC 51-2061$62,620$56,720250
Plant and System Operators, All OtherSOC 51-8099$62,470$65,70014,080
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsSOC 51-8031$60,020$62,540128,490
MachinistsSOC 51-4041$58,750$59,320287,050
Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersSOC 51-9011$58,040$60,710139,630
Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4062$58,000$60,6101,470
Tire BuildersSOC 51-9197$57,390$57,16020,770
Model Makers, WoodSOC 51-7031$56,550$63,670280
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and TendersSOC 51-4051$54,430$55,49016,780
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersSOC 51-4121$53,750$56,760416,210
Engine and Other Machine AssemblersSOC 51-2031$53,710$57,79034,000
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4035$52,800$56,74012,460
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal WorkersSOC 51-9071$52,540$57,96022,440
Pourers and Casters, MetalSOC 51-4052$51,810$54,2904,560
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9012$51,610$56,03060,100
Semiconductor Processing TechniciansSOC 51-9141$51,430$60,18031,460
Structural Metal Fabricators and FittersSOC 51-2041$51,330$54,03052,360
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsSOC 51-9161$50,690$54,320169,450
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4034$50,620$52,49016,710
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9196$50,270$52,84096,130
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4023$50,140$53,22025,250
Tool Grinders, Filers, and SharpenersSOC 51-4194$50,060$53,2405,600
Patternmakers, WoodSOC 51-7032$49,630$54,240220
Dental Laboratory TechniciansSOC 51-9081$49,610$54,29034,410
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4032$49,080$51,8104,680
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4022$49,030$51,6808,930
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9023$48,990$52,09094,920
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4191$48,750$50,45014,000
Prepress Technicians and WorkersSOC 51-5111$48,690$50,80023,840
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersSOC 51-9061$48,570$53,450597,370
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9021$48,540$51,38026,000
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9124$48,250$52,620158,740
Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersSOC 51-2021$48,220$50,47012,840
Foundry Mold and CoremakersSOC 51-4071$48,110$49,86012,790
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and TendersSOC 51-9051$48,040$50,94014,280
Medical Appliance TechniciansSOC 51-9082$48,030$52,73011,280
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-4122$47,920$50,22031,600
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4021$47,720$49,48060,840
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4081$47,180$50,030124,590
Fiberglass Laminators and FabricatorsSOC 51-2051$46,880$49,55016,170
Cabinetmakers and Bench CarpentersSOC 51-7011$46,680$48,29077,170
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9032$46,570$47,46044,980
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4033$46,550$48,17067,000
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and TendersSOC 51-9191$46,460$46,85011,500
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass FibersSOC 51-6091$46,350$48,58012,850
UpholsterersSOC 51-6093$46,340$47,34020,140
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4031$46,330$48,430171,200
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticSOC 51-9195$46,170$47,50033,190
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherSOC 51-4199$45,950$48,58015,900
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersSOC 51-2028$45,850$47,660246,970
Printing Press OperatorsSOC 51-5112$45,780$47,360144,260
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-9041$45,760$47,26058,770
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersSOC 51-3091$44,810$45,93020,370
Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsSOC 51-2090$44,650$46,6601,405,030
Furniture FinishersSOC 51-7021$44,540$45,30014,480
Woodworkers, All OtherSOC 51-7099$44,530$46,0705,490
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4072$44,350$45,960150,470
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4193$43,960$45,10032,410
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and TendersSOC 51-9192$43,530$44,60014,760
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingSOC 51-7042$43,380$43,57061,420
Etchers and EngraversSOC 51-9194$43,310$46,3207,750
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersSOC 51-9111$43,220$44,590379,060
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodSOC 51-7041$42,770$43,58040,850
Grinding and Polishing Workers, HandSOC 51-9022$42,660$45,02010,510
Food BatchmakersSOC 51-3092$42,290$43,750174,520
Print Binding and Finishing WorkersSOC 51-5113$42,290$44,46033,180
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom SewersSOC 51-6052$41,640$45,14013,920
Painting, Coating, and Decorating WorkersSOC 51-9123$41,600$45,2107,940
Food Cooking Machine Operators and TendersSOC 51-3093$41,590$42,57031,250
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and TendersSOC 51-9193$41,330$44,9406,900
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine OperatorsSOC 51-9151$40,610$46,0504,800
Butchers and Meat CuttersSOC 51-3021$40,140$42,380136,430
Slaughterers and Meat PackersSOC 51-3023$40,130$41,77069,950
Production Workers, All OtherSOC 51-9199$40,110$44,380251,700
Food Processing Workers, All OtherSOC 51-3099$39,680$40,30065,000
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-6063$39,530$40,72013,030
Ophthalmic Laboratory TechniciansSOC 51-9083$39,460$43,19018,660
Helpers--Production WorkersSOC 51-9198$39,070$41,120165,700
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-6062$38,760$39,5309,000
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersSOC 51-6064$38,670$40,12022,020
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and TrimmersSOC 51-3022$38,300$39,280145,700
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and TendersSOC 51-6061$38,180$40,3805,310
Cutters and Trimmers, HandSOC 51-9031$38,020$41,0506,060
Shoe and Leather Workers and RepairersSOC 51-6041$37,800$39,1607,450
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All OtherSOC 51-6099$37,280$40,56013,530
BakersSOC 51-3011$37,160$38,480236,200
Sewing Machine OperatorsSOC 51-6031$36,670$37,600104,880
Sewers, HandSOC 51-6051$36,480$37,2102,190
Shoe Machine Operators and TendersSOC 51-6042$35,650$36,2803,280
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related MaterialsSOC 51-6021$35,060$34,64026,120
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersSOC 51-6011$34,890$34,920198,040

Suppressed BLS cells are shown as “—”, never estimated. Click any occupation for its full salary breakdown and national rank.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest-paying production job in the US?
Among Production occupations, Nuclear Power Reactor Operators have the highest published national median wage at $122,890 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025).
How many people work in production jobs in the US?
About 8,565,770 US workers are employed across the 105 occupations in the Production field (SOC 51), summing the published BLS OEWS May 2025 employment estimates for each member occupation.
What jobs are in the production field?
The Production field is SOC major group 51. It includes occupations such as Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, Power Distributors and Dispatchers, Power Plant Operators, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers, Gas Plant Operators, and 100 more. Every occupation whose 6-digit SOC code starts with 51 belongs to this field.
Where does this production salary data come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 national release — cross-industry, all-ownership estimates. As US federal government work it is public domain. GeraJobs publishes the figures verbatim; suppressed cells are shown as "—".

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Data source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) · May 2025 national estimates · SOC major group 51 · Public domain (U.S. federal government work)

Grouped by official US SOC 2018 major group and published verbatim by GeraJobs. Last updated: 2026-06-27. ← All occupational fields

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