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Production worker vs shop worker

The differences between production workers and shop workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a shop worker has an average salary of $31,850, which is higher than the $30,847 average annual salary of a production worker.

The top three skills for a production worker include production process, safety procedures and assembly line. The most important skills for a shop worker are tape measure, safety procedures, and in-shop.

Production worker vs shop worker overview

Production WorkerShop Worker
Yearly salary$30,847$31,850
Hourly rate$14.83$15.31
Growth rate--
Number of jobs136,58473,161
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age4343
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 shop worker do?

A shop worker may work in a wholesale or retail shop to provide customer service. They welcome guests, maintain their store's cleanliness, and ensure stock levels are maintained. They may also be responsible for ringing customers up.

Production worker vs shop worker salary

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

Production WorkerShop Worker
Average salary$30,847$31,850
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $24,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityTacoma, WAEverett, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyBDShipt
Best paying industryAutomotiveManufacturing

Differences between production worker and shop worker education

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

Production WorkerShop Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Production worker vs shop worker demographics

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

Production WorkerShop Worker
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 56.3% Female, 43.7%Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between production worker and shop 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

Shop worker example responsibilities.

  • Used calipers and gauges to make sure parts are within specs.
  • Record transactions in POS system from both in shop and drive thru orders.
  • Used FeatureCAM to prepare parts modele by students to be CNC mill with greater precision than if machine manually.
  • Transform the blueprint or sketch from a design into a useable product by cutting, shaping and assembling steel.
  • Assist shop manager in making of jigs, cut lists, and machining plans to ensure productivity and quality control.
  • Operate various machines such as drill presses, table saws, CNC routers and forklifts, safely in a busy warehouse.
  • Show more

Production worker vs shop 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 shop worker skills
  • Tape Measure, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • In-Shop, 6%
  • Delivery Orders, 6%
  • Pro Shop, 5%
  • Food Preparation, 5%

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