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Product development assistant vs production line worker

The differences between product development assistants and production line workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a product development assistant has an average salary of $56,426, which is higher than the $28,844 average annual salary of a production line worker.

The top three skills for a product development assistant include tech packs, PLM and data entry. The most important skills for a production line worker are assembly line, pallet jack, and safety guidelines.

Product development assistant vs production line worker overview

Product Development AssistantProduction Line Worker
Yearly salary$56,426$28,844
Hourly rate$27.13$13.87
Growth rate19%-
Number of jobs110,496123,921
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%High School Diploma, 54%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a product development assistant do?

Product development assistants are required to possess communication and teamwork skills, as well as familiarity with computer drawing and drafting applications and drafting experience. They are usually called upon to create customer product manuals, conduct research into how to improve products, and the testing of new product prototypes.

What does a production line worker do?

A production worker is responsible for operating equipment and machinery to support the production process with the highest efficiency and maximum operational performance. Production workers regularly inspect the condition of the machinery, reporting any defects and malfunctions which affect the production process for immediate repairs or replacement. They also conduct quality checks for finished products before release to ensure customer satisfaction and avoid any delays on shipment. A production worker must always adhere to safety standards and protocols set by the management to prevent hazards in the production area.

Product development assistant vs production line worker salary

Product development assistants and production line workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Product Development AssistantProduction Line Worker
Average salary$56,426$28,844
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $78,000Between $23,000 And $35,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Anomatic
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between product development assistant and production line worker education

There are a few differences between a product development assistant and a production line worker in terms of educational background:

Product Development AssistantProduction Line Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%High School Diploma, 54%
Most common majorSpecialized Sales And MerchandisingBusiness
Most common college--

Product development assistant vs production line worker demographics

Here are the differences between product development assistants' and production line workers' demographics:

Product Development AssistantProduction Line Worker
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 22.8% Female, 77.2%Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 24.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 4.5% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between product development assistant and production line worker duties and responsibilities

Product development assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage vendor and supplier communications, project deadlines, pricing negotiations, production and QA testing.
  • Prepare costing reports via PLM for management review.
  • Review overseas fabric quality and track status in PLM system.
  • Update WIP reports for department meetings with design and merchandising.
  • Create sketch books for all garments prior to market to facilitate sales.
  • Utilize FlexPLM to ensure accurate entry of color components from design generate BOM post style review.
  • Show more

Production line worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage and instruct workers in the art of food preparation as culinary team leader.
  • Inspect food and area to be up to code with FDA.
  • Build all size windows for different companies.
  • Wear appropriate PPE for the job being perform.
  • Maintain sanitized workspaces, remaining compliant with local, state and FDA guidelines.
  • Train new employees the procedures and protocol of the company and USDA guidelines.
  • Show more

Product development assistant vs production line worker skills

Common product development assistant skills
  • Tech Packs, 10%
  • PLM, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • WIP, 6%
  • Overseas Vendors, 6%
  • Product Specifications, 5%
Common production line worker skills
  • Assembly Line, 22%
  • Pallet Jack, 12%
  • Safety Guidelines, 12%
  • Machine Operators, 7%
  • Quality Checks, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%

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