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Production operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, production operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for production operators is high school diploma with 37% graduates, with only 26% production operator graduates earning bachelor's degree. Production operators who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Boise State University. Some good skills to have in this position include basic math, math and quality checks.

Popular production operator certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate , Forklift Safety and Inspector, or EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA). To improve production operator qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in production operator education paths.

What education do you need to become a production operator?

What degree do you need to be a production operator?

The most common degree for production operators is high school diploma, with 37% of production operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 26% and bachelor's degree degree at 22%.
  • High School Diploma, 37%
  • Bachelor's, 26%
  • Associate, 22%
  • Diploma, 9%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a production operator?

You should major in business to become a production operator. 26% of production operators major in business. Other common majors for a production operator include general studies and criminal justice.

Best majors for production operators

20 best online courses for production operators

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1. Machine Learning Engineering for Production (MLOps)

coursera

Understanding machine learning and deep learning concepts is essential, but if you’re looking to build an effective AI career, you need production engineering capabilities as well.\n\nEffectively deploying machine learning models requires competencies more commonly found in technical fields such as software engineering and DevOps. Machine learning engineering for production combines the foundational concepts of machine learning with the functional expertise of modern software development and...

2. The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

udemy
4.5
(1,218)

The 18-step process for ensuring new parts are consistently manufactured and meet their customers' quality expectations...

3. Productivity Machine: Time Management & Productivity Hacks

udemy
4.5
(27,996)

Productivity & Time Management Strategies for Goal Setting, Eliminating Distractions, & Building Habits for Success...

4. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services

udemy
4.3
(833)

Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...

5. Product and Service Management

udemy
4.7
(957)

Know the Work that is Involved in Getting a Product Onto the Shelf and a Service Ready for Effective Delivery...

6. Product Management Crash Course; IT Product Management

udemy
4.4
(593)

Product Management Essentials & Product Management Fundamentals to kick-start your career in Product Management...

7. Machine Learning Product Management: A Practical Guide 2023

udemy
4.5
(268)

Kick start your career in Machine Learning Product Management with just one course...

8. Music Production II - Music Production Workflow - COMPLETE!!

udemy
4.2
(331)

Learn to create a Music Production Workflow, and produce professional quality music within any Music Production DAW!...

9. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel

udemy
4.4
(533)

Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...

10. Productivity for Mac Users: 10x Your Productivity

udemy
4.2
(982)

Shortcuts and Tools to 10x Your Productivity on Your Mac...

11. 7 Quality Tools for Quality Management and Improvements.

udemy
4.4
(434)

A complete Crash Course on the 7 Basic Tools for Quality Management and its Implementation using MS Excel...

12. Product Management Fundamentals

udemy
4.4
(4,918)

Case-based practical course on product management to build strong foundations in product concepts, process & frameworks...

13. Quality Systems, Models and Theories

udemy
4.1
(251)

Understand, Develop and Implement Quality Systems for Success and Profit...

14. Product Management Marketing: Dekker's Product Marketing MBA

udemy
4.6
(2,007)

Be a Product Marketing Manager - Product Management : Product Manager MBA : Product to Market : Product Owner Launch GTM...

15. Comprehensive Product management for Product managers

udemy
4.5
(366)

Become a great product manager with comprehensive product management Real world case study with JIRA & Confluence...

16. Insightful Customer Interviews for Product Managers

udemy
4.5
(340)

Direct conversations with real customers to gain insight, test product concepts, and drive product success...

17. Data Quality Fundamentals

udemy
4.2
(557)

Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...

18. Product Development & Systems Engineering

udemy
4.6
(3,086)

The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...

19. Certified Quality Process Analyst Training

udemy
4.3
(311)

Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) Exam Preparation Course - Confidently Pass the Exam on the First Attempt...

20. Double Your Productivity and Get Important Things Done

udemy
4.8
(724)

Productivity Course: Boost Productivity. Get Things Done. Procrastination. Time Management. Productivity Tools...

Average production operator salary by education level

Production operators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $40,047 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, production operators earn a median annual income of $38,017 compared to $37,472 for production operators with an Associate degree.
Production operator education levelProduction operator salary
Master's Degree$40,047
High School Diploma or Less$35,523
Bachelor's Degree$38,017
Some College/ Associate Degree$37,472

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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