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General helper vs production worker

The differences between general helpers and production workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general helper has an average salary of $35,793, which is higher than the $30,847 average annual salary of a production worker.

The top three skills for a general helper include tape measure, pallets and hand tools. The most important skills for a production worker are production process, safety procedures, and assembly line.

General helper vs production worker overview

General HelperProduction Worker
Yearly salary$35,793$30,847
Hourly rate$17.21$14.83
Growth rate4%-
Number of jobs69,738136,584
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age3943
Years of experience--

What does a general helper do?

General helpers are skilled workers who help other workers by performing tasks that need less skill, such as holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment. These helpers are required to provide general labor support to all departments while performing a variety of job assignments. They must ensure that everyone in an organization is following safety rules and inspect areas for safety hazards. General helpers must also perform constant quality checks on the organization's establishments using its quality guidelines and operating procedures.

What does a production worker do?

Production workers are employees who are usually seen in an assembly line in a company's factory. They are responsible for a specific part of the production of goods for the company. They ensure that production processes are being followed. Production workers are required to be efficient, detail-oriented, and organized. They should be able to uphold the quality standards set by the company and should be able to conduct quality control checks. Should they be working alongside machines, and they must know how to operate the machine as well as maintain it. Production workers should also be familiar with occupational safety and health guidelines and must be able to follow policies and procedures in place.

General helper vs production worker salary

General helpers and production workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

General HelperProduction Worker
Average salary$35,793$30,847
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $43,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityChicago, ILTacoma, WA
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companyBarry-WehmillerBD
Best paying industryMediaAutomotive

Differences between general helper and production worker education

There are a few differences between a general helper and a production worker in terms of educational background:

General HelperProduction Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

General helper vs production worker demographics

Here are the differences between general helpers' and production workers' demographics:

General HelperProduction Worker
Average age3943
Gender ratioMale, 77.4% Female, 22.6%Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 30.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 50.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%5%

Differences between general helper and production worker duties and responsibilities

General helper example responsibilities.

  • Operate grinders, saws, CNC machines, punch press, straighten metal parts, and package products for immediate shipment.
  • Require bundling of steel tubing.
  • Calculate requirements, using basic math.
  • Assist with reading and mathematics lessons as a small group leader.
  • Be sure to have proper PPE and equipment need in case of emergency.
  • Used hand tools such as rakes, hedge and brush trimmers and brooms.
  • Show more

Production worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage and instruct workers in the art of food preparation as culinary team leader.
  • Require to know safe food practices like HACCP, and knowing USDA and FDA guidelines when handling and storing foods.
  • Use scribers, dividers, and squares to mark dimensions on material.
  • Produce glace, demi-glace and elite culinary sauces.
  • Handle parts that run off conveyors and are send for painting.
  • Operate large grinders, run high heat ovens, inspect and paint parts, packaging.
  • Show more

General helper vs production worker skills

Common general helper skills
  • Tape Measure, 11%
  • Pallets, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Machine Operators, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%
Common production worker skills
  • Production Process, 15%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Assembly Line, 10%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Pallet Jack, 5%

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