Production Occupations Career

Total Employees	Hourly Wage	Annual Wage
7,231K	$23.03	$47,903

Vocational Programs to Prepare Production Occupations Career

The following 72 vocational programs are required or helpful to prepare Production Occupations.

The tuition, program length, and completion time program information is average amounts over all schools that offer each program. This information is only for vocational programs (i.e. certificate programs) and not for bachelor's or graduate degrees.

2024 Average Tuition and Completion Information for Preparing Production Occupations
Program Name	Number of Schools	Tuition & Fees	Books & Supplies	Program Lengths	Avg. Completion Time
Brewing Science	14	-	-	-	-
Zymology/Fermentation Science	1	-	-	-	-
Graphic Communications	23	-	-	1,035 Hours	10.50 Months
Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design	98	$1,600	$300	600 Hours	6.00 Months
Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator	27	-	-	-	-
Platemaker/Imager	4	-	-	-	-
Printing Press Operator	1	-	-	-	-
Computer Typography and Composition Equipment Operator	2	-	-	-	-
Graphic Communications (other)	5	-	-	-	-
Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef	189	$24,241	$1,201	326 Hours	13.09 Months
Meat Cutting/Meat Cutter	11	-	-	-	-
Civil Engineering Technology/Technician	50	-	-	-	-
Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician	69	-	-	-	-
Welding Engineering Technology/Technician	23	$3,066	$831	1,050 Hours	9.00 Months
Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology	1	-	-	-	-
Quality Control Technology/Technician	42	-	-	-	-
Petroleum Technology/Technician	27	-	-	-	-
Power Plant Technology/Technician	3	-	-	-	-
Apparel and Textile Manufacture	16	$9,683	$885	1,200 Hours	12.00 Months
Intelligence	5	-	-	-	-
Strategic Intelligence	2	-	-	-	-
Signal/Geospatial Intelligence	2	-	-	-	-
Command & Control (C3, C4I Systems and Operations)	1	-	-	-	-
Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare	9	-	-	-	-
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (other)	1	-	-	-	-
Explosive Ordinance/Bomb Disposal	1	-	-	-	-
Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician	2	-	-	-	-
Chemical Technology/Technician	47	-	-	-	-
Chemical Process Technology	10	-	-	-	-
Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operations	6	-	-	-	-
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy	18	-	-	-	-
Geospatial Intelligence	2	-	-	-	-
Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician	115	$23,201	$3,557	614 Hours	14.25 Months
Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking	6	$28,875	$4,031	63 Hours	14.00 Months
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician	326	$19,138	$1,215	688 Hours	11.25 Months
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician	139	$20,421	$1,758	1,401 Hours	15.06 Months
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician	100	$9,590	$651	1,358 Hours	12.71 Months
Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician	38	$17,490	$553	590 Hours	15.25 Months
Engine Machinist	3	$16,775	$200	38 Hours	9.00 Months
Upholstery/Upholsterer	10	$7,400	$390	24 Hours	8.00 Months
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist	273	$8,531	$1,382	1,078 Hours	10.69 Months
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	135	$3,078	$525	1,030 Hours	9.25 Months
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking	36	-	-	-	-
Tool and Die Technology/Technician	45	-	-	-	-
Welding Technology/Welder	917	$10,695	$1,266	753 Hours	9.71 Months
Ironworking/Ironworker	9	-	-	-	-
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist	175	$15,407	$599	402 Hours	9.25 Months
Metal Fabricator	23	$31,125	$375	814 Hours	8.50 Months
Precision Metal Working (other)	21	-	-	400 Hours	8.00 Months
Woodworking	8	-	-	-	-
Furniture Design and Manufacturing	6	$51,750	$7,500	2,340 Hours	18.00 Months
Cabinetmaking and Millwork	53	-	-	1,590 Hours	15.00 Months
Wooden Boatbuilding Technology/Technician	1	-	-	-	-
Woodworking (other)	3	-	-	-	-
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew	55	$81,500	$2,500	986 Hours	14.00 Months
Air Traffic Controller	3	-	-	-	-
Airline Flight Attendant	3	-	-	-	-
Flight Instructor	7	-	-	-	-
Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation	67	$12,083	$619	867 Hours	10.00 Months
Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor	238	$6,258	$314	254 Hours	2.98 Months
Railroad and Railway Transportation	5	-	-	-	-
Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer	3	-	-	-	-
Marine Transportation (other)	7	-	-	-	-
Metal and Jewelry Arts	14	$19,581	$2,307	760 Hours	6.67 Months
Metal Arts	1	-	-	-	-
Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician	23	$27,813	$1,500	1,200 Hours	15.00 Months
Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)	92	$3,302	$441	227 Hours	6.63 Months
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician	2	-	-	-	-
Orthotist/Prosthetist	4	-	-	-	-
Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering	4	-	-	-	-
Operations Management and Supervision	63	-	-	-	-

Sub-Occupations of Production Occupations Career

The following 176 occupations are related to Production Occupations.

Sub-Occupations of Production Occupations
Occupation	Total Employees	Annual Wages	Hourly Rate
Production Occupations	8,770K	$47,620	$23
Supervisors of Production Workers	671K	$71,730	$34
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	671K	$71,730	$34
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	671K	$71,730	$34
Assemblers and Fabricators	1,925K	$43,470	$21
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	29,810	$62,860	$30
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	29,810	$62,860	$30
Electrical, Electronics, and Electromechanical Assemblers	279K	$43,830	$21
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	11,900	$46,020	$22
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers	-	-	-
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers	-	-	-
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	47,960	$53,470	$26
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	47,960	$53,470	$26
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	57,810	$50,640	$24
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	57,810	$50,640	$24
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators	20,380	$43,920	$21
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators	20,380	$43,920	$21
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters	400	$52,840	$25
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters	400	$52,840	$25
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	1,489K	$42,400	$20
Team Assemblers	-	-	-
Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other	-	-	-
Food Processing Workers	849K	$38,220	$18
Bakers	220K	$35,550	$17
Bakers	220K	$35,550	$17
Butchers and Other Meat, Poultry, and Fish Processing Workers	346K	$38,350	$18
Butchers and Meat Cutters	136K	$39,680	$19
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	138K	$36,840	$18
Slaughterers and Meat Packers	71,310	$38,710	$19
Miscellaneous Food Processing Workers	282K	$40,140	$19
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	19,570	$42,410	$20
Food Batchmakers	169K	$40,890	$20
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders	29,730	$39,770	$19
Food Processing Workers, All Other	63,970	$37,630	$18
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers	1,605K	$49,350	$24
Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	97,290	$46,600	$22
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	63,370	$45,440	$22
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	9,170	$47,350	$23
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	24,750	$49,290	$24
Machine Tool Cutting Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	294K	$44,950	$22
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	179K	$44,260	$21
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	5,740	$47,490	$23
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	75,260	$44,450	$21
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	19,560	$48,850	$23
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	13,990	$50,020	$24
Machinists	291K	$54,600	$26
Machinists	291K	$54,600	$26
Metal Furnace Operators, Tenders, Pourers, and Casters	26,340	$53,460	$26
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders	20,870	$54,340	$26
Pourers and Casters, Metal	5,460	$50,110	$24
Model Makers and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic	4,990	$60,450	$29
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic	2,840	$64,920	$31
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic	2,150	$54,550	$26
Molders and Molding Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	171K	$42,270	$20
Foundry Mold and Coremakers	11,780	$45,130	$22
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	159K	$42,060	$20
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	128K	$43,990	$21
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	128K	$43,990	$21
Tool and Die Makers	58,150	$62,020	$30
Tool and Die Makers	58,150	$62,020	$30
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers	455K	$52,240	$25
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	422K	$52,640	$25
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	33,020	$47,120	$23
Miscellaneous Metal Workers and Plastic Workers	80,600	$45,800	$22
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	14,950	$46,540	$22
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic	6,660	$60,110	$29
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	31,970	$42,550	$20
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners	6,660	$48,520	$23
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other	20,370	$44,780	$22
Printing Workers	214K	$44,030	$21
Printing Workers	214K	$44,030	$21
Prepress Technicians and Workers	23,590	$46,540	$22
Printing Press Operators	151K	$44,450	$21
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	38,880	$40,860	$20
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers	474K	$35,210	$17
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	185K	$31,880	$15
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	185K	$31,880	$15
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	28,700	$32,340	$16
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	28,700	$32,340	$16
Sewing Machine Operators	116K	$35,000	$17
Sewing Machine Operators	116K	$35,000	$17
Shoe and Leather Workers	11,850	$36,850	$18
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers	7,230	$37,030	$18
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders	4,630	$36,570	$18
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Sewers	18,340	$39,020	$19
Sewers, Hand	3,390	$33,860	$16
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers	14,950	$40,190	$19
Textile Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	55,950	$37,370	$18
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders	6,650	$37,570	$18
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	9,760	$37,040	$18
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	15,980	$37,880	$18
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	23,550	$37,100	$18
Miscellaneous Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers	58,010	$44,020	$21
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers	14,520	$45,270	$22
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers	2,670	$66,750	$32
Upholsterers	25,740	$44,820	$22
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other	15,080	$37,430	$18
Woodworkers	216K	$42,210	$20
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	88,460	$44,620	$21
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	88,460	$44,620	$21
Furniture Finishers	14,380	$42,490	$20
Furniture Finishers	14,380	$42,490	$20
Model Makers and Patternmakers, Wood	850	$52,460	$25
Model Makers, Wood	590	$52,510	$25
Patternmakers, Wood	260	$52,330	$25
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	105K	$40,260	$19
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood	43,570	$40,120	$19
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	61,250	$40,360	$19
Miscellaneous Woodworkers	7,830	$39,520	$19
Woodworkers, All Other	7,830	$39,520	$19
Plant and System Operators	283K	$72,810	$35
Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers	46,300	$98,190	$47
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators	5,760	$121,240	$58
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	9,040	$105,460	$51
Power Plant Operators	31,490	$91,880	$44
Biomass Plant Technicians	31,490	$91,880	$44
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians	31,490	$91,880	$44
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	33,840	$73,170	$35
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	33,840	$73,170	$35
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	121K	$58,050	$28
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	121K	$58,050	$28
Miscellaneous Plant and System Operators	82,630	$80,000	$38
Chemical Plant and System Operators	17,980	$79,450	$38
Gas Plant Operators	15,930	$83,020	$40
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	33,360	$88,120	$42
Plant and System Operators, All Other	15,370	$59,890	$29
Biofuels Processing Technicians	15,370	$59,890	$29
Other Production Occupations	2,533K	$46,710	$22
Chemical Processing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	173K	$55,700	$27
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	120K	$57,350	$28
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	53,170	$51,960	$25
Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers	144K	$47,120	$23
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	26,210	$46,390	$22
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand	12,290	$41,490	$20
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	106K	$47,950	$23
Cutting Workers	59,950	$44,050	$21
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand	7,220	$39,260	$19
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	52,720	$44,700	$21
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	57,080	$44,610	$21
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	57,080	$44,610	$21
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	14,820	$47,540	$23
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	14,820	$47,540	$23
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	585K	$49,260	$24
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	585K	$49,260	$24
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	24,060	$52,000	$25
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	24,060	$52,000	$25
Gem and Diamond Workers	24,060	$52,000	$25
Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians	64,970	$48,590	$23
Dental Laboratory Technicians	34,190	$52,390	$25
Medical Appliance Technicians	12,550	$48,860	$23
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	18,240	$41,280	$20
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	372K	$41,200	$20
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	372K	$41,200	$20
Painting Workers	167K	$48,200	$23
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers	10,700	$44,050	$21
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	156K	$48,480	$23
Semiconductor Processing Technicians	26,450	$48,970	$24
Semiconductor Processing Technicians	26,450	$48,970	$24
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators	5,770	$41,900	$20
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators	5,770	$41,900	$20
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers	216K	$53,200	$26
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	188K	$51,030	$25
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	28,030	$67,650	$33
Miscellaneous Production Workers	623K	$42,360	$20
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders	12,510	$44,400	$21
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	15,210	$41,500	$20
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	6,500	$44,840	$22
Etchers and Engravers	8,140	$42,780	$21
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	38,480	$44,710	$22
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing	38,480	$44,710	$22
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers	38,480	$44,710	$22
Potters, Manufacturing	38,480	$44,710	$22
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	96,460	$48,910	$24
Tire Builders	20,660	$53,930	$26
Helpers--Production Workers	182K	$38,160	$18
Production Workers, All Other	244K	$41,400	$20

Schools offering voational programs for Production Occupations

The following 1,354 schools offer the vocational programs and courses for preparing Production Occupations. The list includes some 4-year colleges that have certificate or associate programs for the career.