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Occupation · SOC 51-9198

Helpers--Production Workers

There are 165,700 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $39,070 a year. The most jobs are in Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
165,700
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$39,070
Median pay a year
Middle half: $35,220–$45,990
20,900
Annual openings
10-year change: −8.2%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 314 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $37,890 · LCA filings 08,640$37,8900
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $37,290 · LCA filings 08,120$37,2900
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $42,490 · LCA filings 06,810$42,4900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $40,970 · LCA filings 04,780$40,9700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $41,480 · LCA filings 03,710$41,4800
St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $40,190 · LCA filings 02,290$40,1900
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $40,580 · LCA filings 02,190$40,5800
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $46,980 · LCA filings 02,080$46,9800
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $43,210 · LCA filings 01,990$43,2100
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $37,000 · LCA filings 01,920$37,0000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Reading, PAEmployment 340 · LCA filings 0$54,5503400
Albany, OREmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$52,2902000
Des Moines–West Des Moines, IAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$52,0502000
Oshkosh–Neenah, WIEmployment 290 · LCA filings 0$50,4802900
Fargo, ND–MNEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$50,190800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $34,299 · Level III $38,293 · Level IV $42,286$30,306$34,299$38,293$42,286
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $34,174 · Level III $38,126 · Level IV $42,058$30,243$34,174$38,126$42,058
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $41,038 · Level III $45,157 · Level IV $49,254$36,941$41,038$45,157$49,254
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $39,250 · Level III $43,805 · Level IV $48,360$34,694$39,250$43,805$48,360
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $40,227 · Level III $43,181 · Level IV $46,114$37,294$40,227$43,181$46,114
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $39,832 · Level III $43,701 · Level IV $47,590$35,942$39,832$43,701$47,590
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $37,939 · Level III $42,328 · Level IV $46,717$33,550$37,939$42,328$46,717
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $45,469 · Level III $50,190 · Level IV $54,933$40,726$45,469$50,190$54,933
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $40,602 · Level III $44,408 · Level IV $48,214$36,795$40,602$44,408$48,214
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $35,464 · Level III $39,104 · Level IV $42,744$31,824$35,464$39,104$42,744

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology