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Shop worker vs production employee

The differences between shop workers and production employees can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production employee has an average salary of $32,872, which is higher than the $31,850 average annual salary of a shop worker.

The top three skills for a shop worker include tape measure, safety procedures and in-shop. The most important skills for a production employee are production floor, quality standards, and safety standards.

Shop worker vs production employee overview

Shop WorkerProduction Employee
Yearly salary$31,850$32,872
Hourly rate$15.31$15.80
Growth rate--
Number of jobs73,16175,730
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

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.

What does a production employee do?

In a manufacturing setting, a production employee is in charge of assembling and processing products, ensuring efficiency and timelines. Their responsibilities include adhering to guidelines and blueprints, monitoring the products for any defects or inconsistencies, operating machines and equipment, keeping an eye on the assembly line, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, as a production employee, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating every step of the way, and alerting managers should there be any problems.

Shop worker vs production employee salary

Shop workers and production employees have different pay scales, as shown below.

Shop WorkerProduction Employee
Average salary$31,850$32,872
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $41,000Between $25,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityEverett, WACleveland, OH
Highest paying stateWashingtonMinnesota
Best paying companyShiptSteel Dynamics
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between shop worker and production employee education

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

Shop WorkerProduction Employee
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Shop worker vs production employee demographics

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

Shop WorkerProduction Employee
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 76.5% Female, 23.5%Male, 69.6% Female, 30.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 7.9% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between shop worker and production employee duties and responsibilities

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 employee example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish collating training for revisions and charts.
  • Handle set up and operation of CNC mills and lathes for production.
  • Machine (CNC) axle shafts from a raw forging state to a finish product ready for final assembly.
  • Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
  • Coordinate and participate in Kaizen cost improvement activities.

Shop worker vs production employee skills

Common shop worker skills
  • Tape Measure, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • In-Shop, 6%
  • Delivery Orders, 6%
  • Pro Shop, 5%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
Common production employee skills
  • Production Floor, 25%
  • Quality Standards, 16%
  • Safety Standards, 13%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Production Process, 6%
  • HACCP, 4%

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