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Production worker vs factory worker

The differences between production workers and factory workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production worker has an average salary of $30,847, which is higher than the $29,343 average annual salary of a factory worker.

The top three skills for a production worker include production process, safety procedures and assembly line. The most important skills for a factory worker are line assembly, production process, and safety regulations.

Production worker vs factory worker overview

Production WorkerFactory Worker
Yearly salary$30,847$29,343
Hourly rate$14.83$14.11
Growth rate--
Number of jobs136,584106,768
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4338
Years of experience--

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.

What does a factory worker do?

A factory worker is responsible for manufacturing products using appropriate machinery and equipment. Factory workers' duties include processing the products based on the required quantity and specifications, labeling and safely packaging the merchandise, ensuring that the items are free of any defects before distribution, monitoring the supply inventories, reporting defected machines and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of the production area. A factory worker must have excellent time-management skills to produce high-quality products within a specific time frame.

Production worker vs factory worker salary

Production workers and factory workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production WorkerFactory Worker
Average salary$30,847$29,343
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $22,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityTacoma, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyBDUPS
Best paying industryAutomotiveAutomotive

Differences between production worker and factory worker education

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

Production WorkerFactory Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Production worker vs factory worker demographics

Here are the differences between production workers' and factory workers' demographics:

Production WorkerFactory Worker
Average age4338
Gender ratioMale, 56.3% Female, 43.7%Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage5%9%

Differences between production worker and factory worker duties and responsibilities

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

Factory worker example responsibilities.

  • Assemble automotive windows for Honda and Toyota
  • Assemble HVAC systems & furnaces.
  • Perform landscaping, HVAC, assemble tanning beds, and other duties as assigned.
  • Assemble parts to mowers as line move, keep parts ready to assemble and cardboard and trash clear away.
  • Maintain seasonal grounds work, lawn mowing, trimming shrubs flowerbeds, spraying pesticides, and other landscaping elements.
  • Keep production areas in compliance with sanitation standards set by HACCP, FDA, USDA, and customer's requirements.
    • Show more

Production worker vs factory worker skills

Common production worker skills
  • Production Process, 15%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Assembly Line, 10%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Pallet Jack, 5%
Common factory worker skills
  • Line Assembly, 25%
  • Production Process, 19%
  • Safety Regulations, 18%
  • Pallet Jack, 8%
  • Temp Service, 5%
  • Quality Checks, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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