Production Worker/Machine Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Production Worker/Machine Operator make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Production Worker/Machine Operator in the United States is $56,912 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Production Worker/Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,847
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,928 to $64,206
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,480
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View as table View as graph 25% $50,928 10% $45,480 90% $70,847 75% $64,206 $56,912 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Production Worker/Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $64,206 $5,351 $1,235 $31
Average $56,912 $4,743 $1,094 $27
25th Percentile $50,928 $4,244 $979 $24
Check out Production Worker/Machine Operator Job Openings in the United States
PRODUCTION OPERATOR

General Mills - , OH

PRODUCTION OPERATOR

Adecco - Northfield, OH

PRODUCTION SPECIALIST PRINTER OPERATOR

FASTSIGNS - Toledo, OH

PRODUCTION OPERATOR MANUFACTURING

Manpower - Greenville, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Production Worker/Machine Operator Salaries

A Production Worker/Machine Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Production Worker/Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Production Worker/Machine Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,115
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,685
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,805
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,127
  • Expert (over 8 years): $90,846
Levels Salary
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$41,115
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$45,685
Productio... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$51,805
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$65,127
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$90,846
$41,115 0 yr
$45,685 < 2 yrs
$51,805 2-4 yrs
$65,127 5-8 yrs
$90,846 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Production Worker/Machine Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Production Worker/Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $63,012.
  • California: $62,773.
  • Massachusetts: $61,937.

Top Paying Cities for Production Worker/Machine Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $71,783
  • San Francisco: $71,077
  • Oakland: $69,500

What Skills Can Increase a Production Worker/Machine Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 4.3% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Machine Operation (Mentioned in 3.88% Job Postings): Applying methods and techniques to implement, maintain, repair, design, and update various machines following specific rules to ensure safety.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 2.21% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 4.3%
Machine Operation 3.88%
Food Safety 2.21%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Production Worker/Machine Operator's salary.
  • Continuous Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 1%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Continuous Improvement
 $58,050
2%
Troubleshooting
 $57,481
1%
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How Education impacts a Production Worker/Machine Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Production Worker/Machine Operators enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Production Worker/Machine Operator with a No Diploma is between $51,335 and $54,850).

Production Worker/Machine Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Production Worker/Machine Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.1%
High School 74.4%
Associates 10.3%
Bachelors 7.7%
Masters 2.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Production Worker/Machine Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Production Worker/Machine Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 18, 2021
$50,928
Average $56,912/year
$64,206
$4,244
Average $4,743/month
$5,351
$979
Average $1,094/week
$1,235
$24
Average $27/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,206 $5,351 $1,235 $31
Average $56,912 $4,743 $1,094 $27
25th Percentile $50,928 $4,244 $979 $24

Salaries of jobs related to Production Worker/Machine Operator

Salary Trends for Production Worker/Machine Operator

Salaries for a Production Worker/Machine Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,719 in 2023 to around $47,265 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Production Worker/Machine Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Production Worker/Machine Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,719
2024
$47,582
2025
$47,265
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,719
2024 $47,582
2025 $47,265
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Production Worker/Machine Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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