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What does a production line worker do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
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.

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Production line worker responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real production line worker resumes:

  • 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.
  • Seal and prepare glass windows and doors for installation on the production line.
  • Create flowcharts as well as schedules when need, run errands when ask, correct documents.
  • Pull damage or ineffective equipment off the line also load unload items from machines carts and dollies.
  • Work in fast pace environment assembling lawn mowers, snow blowers and pressure washers using several power tools.
  • Cut, scrape and pull meat from poultry carcasses, using fingers and boning knife in accordance with the USDA.
  • Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
  • Position internal and external rail car components, using fixtures, jigs and templates to ensure proper assembly fit and finish.
  • Pack product according to spreadsheets and run distributing lines while conducting computer operating codes for organization.
  • Used various power tools, including routers, table saws, jig saws, drill presses.

Production line worker skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Production Line Workers are proficient in Assembly Line, Pallet Jack, and Safety Guidelines.

We break down the percentage of Production Line Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Assembly Line, 22%

    Maximize productivity through identification of efficiency gaps and areas of opportunity along the assembly line.

  • Pallet Jack, 12%

    Picked, packed, received, and restocked products with electric pallet jack, hand-jack and lift truck.

  • Safety Guidelines, 12%

    Followed established General Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety guidelines, including maintaining an orderly and clean work area.

  • Machine Operators, 7%

    Operated machinery used in the production process, assisted machine operators, and packed and stored materials and products.

  • Quality Checks, 6%

    Completed production reports for quality checks and documented problems or defects accordingly.

  • Safety Procedures, 5%

    Operated numerous types of bottling equipment, performed quality control tests, and followed safety procedures

"assembly line," "pallet jack," and "safety guidelines" are among the most common skills that production line workers use at work. You can find even more production line worker responsibilities below, including:

Most common production line worker skills

The three companies that hire the most production line workers are:

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Compare different production line workers

Production line worker vs. Woodworking shop hand

A woodworking shop hand is responsible for assisting woodwork tasks, creating high-quality products, and inspecting the items thoroughly before packaging and releasing for delivery. Woodworking shop hands maintain clean and safe construction tools and equipment, perform repairs as needed, and disposing of defective items that may affect operational efficiency. They also work closely with woodworkers, accept customized requests from clients, and strategize on minimizing material costs without compromising the quality of wood products. A woodworking shop hand must have excellent organizational skills, as well as strictly adhering to the production's safety processes and regulations at all times.

The annual salary of woodworking shop hands is $3,002 higher than the average salary of production line workers.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a production line worker are more likely to require skills like "assembly line," "pallet jack," "safety guidelines," and "machine operators." On the other hand, a job as a woodworking shop hand requires skills like "shop hand," "cdl," "load trucks," and "cnc." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

The education levels that woodworking shop hands earn slightly differ from production line workers. In particular, woodworking shop hands are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a production line worker. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Production line worker vs. Manufacturing associate

Manufacturing associates typically have varied duties and responsibilities. These include preparing materials and equipment for production, operating manufacturing equipment such as washers, and maintaining material inventory. In addition, they are responsible for inspecting purchased equipment, parts, and components, and participating in process investigations. They also review and execute documents related to manufacturing and determine any problems in the manufacturing process. To become a successful manufacturing associate, you should have skills in good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance, aseptic processing, and biotechnology.

Manufacturing associate positions earn higher pay than production line worker roles. They earn a $5,986 higher salary than production line workers per year.A few skills overlap for production line workers and manufacturing associates. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "assembly line," "pallet jack," and "safety guidelines. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, production line worker responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "production line issues," "lockout tagout," "inspect products," and "production line equipment." Meanwhile, a manufacturing associate has duties that require skills in areas such as "basic math," "cell culture," "math," and "production equipment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, manufacturing associates earn a higher salary than production line workers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, manufacturing associates earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $37,567. Whereas production line workers have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $34,193.In general, manufacturing associates achieve similar levels of education than production line workers. They're 2.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Production line worker vs. Line operator

A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.

On average scale, line operators bring in higher salaries than production line workers. In fact, they earn a $5,676 higher salary per year.production line workers and line operators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "assembly line," "pallet jack," and "safety guidelines," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from production line worker resumes include skills like "machine operators," "production line issues," "inspect products," and "production line equipment," whereas a line operator is more likely to list skills in "mechanical troubleshooting," "preventative maintenance," "basic math," and "extrusion. "

Line operators earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $37,379. Comparatively, production line workers have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $34,193.line operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to production line workers. Specifically, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Production line worker vs. Labour worker

A labour worker is responsible for performing high-quality operations, depending on the chosen industry. In most cases, construction businesses employ labor workers to do physical tasks that involve utilizing machinery, carrying materials, inspecting sites, analyzing blueprints and plan specifications, and ensuring the structures' safety and security. A labour worker also monitors the quality of the materials used for the production, suggests materials that would fit the budget goals, and escalates concerns to the management. Labour workers must adhere to safety regulations and procedures to prevent accidents and injuries within the premises.

Labour workers typically earn higher pay than production line workers. On average, labour workers earn a $1,236 higher salary per year.According to resumes from production line workers and labour workers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "assembly line," "pallet jack," and "safety procedures. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between production line workers and labour workers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a production line worker might have more use for skills like "safety guidelines," "machine operators," "quality checks," and "quality standards." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of labour workers require skills like "power drills," "construction sites," "safety rules," and "manual labor. "

Labour workers enjoy the best pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $33,469. For comparison, production line workers earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.labour workers reach similar levels of education compared to production line workers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of production line worker

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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