Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Helpers--Production Workers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators out-earn Helpers--Production Workers by $6K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Helpers--Production Workers land at $39,070 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: helpers--production worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Helpers--Production Workers is North Dakota ($46,170); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Helpers--Production Workers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$39,070
$44,650
Hourly rate
$18.78/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,140
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$53,410
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
165,700
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
-8.9%
-0.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
North Dakota
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Helpers--Production Workers median pay.

State
Helpers--Production Workers
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
North Dakota
$46,170
$47,250
Iowa
$45,560
$48,920
Colorado
$45,550
$46,150
Washington
$45,450
$48,260
Oregon
$45,390
$46,910
Minnesota
$44,720
$46,920
Hawaii
$44,380
$49,630
Maine
$44,120
$45,970
California
$43,970
$47,720
New Hampshire
$42,740
$46,940
Alaska
$42,530
$49,390
Massachusetts
$42,280
$46,720
Kentucky
$42,130
$47,950
Missouri
$40,580
$46,480
Nevada
$39,730
$49,050

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Helpers--Production Workers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators earn more nationally. The median is $39,070 for Helpers--Production Workers versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $6K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Helpers--Production Workers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -8.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Helpers--Production Workers or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Helpers--Production Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Helpers--Production Workers get paid the most?

North Dakota is the top-paying state for Helpers--Production Workers at $46,170/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Helpers--Production Workers vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In North Dakota, Helpers--Production Workers earn $46,170 vs. $47,250 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Helpers--Production Workers salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Helpers--Production Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by take-home payExplore →How to become a helpers--production workersGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →