Operator, Production I Salary in the United States

How much does an Operator, Production I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operator, Production I in the United States is $41,474 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,596
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,137 to $44,678
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,099
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View as table View as graph 25% $38,137 10% $35,099 90% $47,596 75% $44,678 $41,474 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Operator, Production I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $44,678 $3,723 $859 $21
Average $41,474 $3,456 $798 $20
25th Percentile $38,137 $3,178 $733 $18
Check out Operator, Production I Job Openings in the United States
Production Operator

Path Robotics - Columbus, OH

Production Operator- Nights

Niagara Bottling - Columbus, OH

Production Operator- Nights

Niagara Bottling Inc - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Operator, Production I Salaries

An Operator, Production I'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 Operator, Production I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operator, Production I'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): $41,238
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,830
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,000
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $55,877
  • Expert (over 8 years): $81,183
Levels Salary
Operator,... Level Operator, Production I$41,238
Machine O... Level Operator, Production I$45,830
Machine O... Level Operator, Production I$52,000
Machine O... Level Operator, Production I$55,877
Machine O... Level Operator, Production I$81,183
$41,238 0 yr
$45,830 < 2 yrs
$52,000 2-4 yrs
$55,877 5-8 yrs
$81,183 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Operator, Production I 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 Operator, Production Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $45,920.
  • California: $45,746.
  • Massachusetts: $45,136.

Top Paying Cities for Operator, Production Is

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: $52,311
  • San Francisco: $51,738
  • Oakland: $50,648

What Skills Can Increase an Operator, Production I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.86% 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 3.15% Job Postings): Applying methods and techniques to implement, maintain, repair, design, and update various machines following specific rules to ensure safety.
  • Container (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.86%
Machine Operation 3.15%
Container 2.29%
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 an Operator, Production I's salary.
  • CNC: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CNC
$44,377
7%
Accountability
$43,133
4%
SOP
$42,718
3%
Dedication
$42,718
3%
Products and Services
$42,303
2%
ISO
$42,303
2%
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Operator, Production I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operator, Production I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Operator, Production positions in MFG Durable or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operator, Production I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Operator, Production I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$55,990$27.035%
Financial Services$53,916$26.030%
Media$51,842$25.025%
Biotechnology$49,769$24.020%
Insurance$47,695$23.015%

How Education impacts an Operator, Production I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operator, Production Is 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 an Operator, Production I with a No Diploma is between $37,041 and $39,424).

Operator, Production I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operator, Production I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.4%
High School 69.8%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 7.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Operator, Production I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operator, Production I'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Operator, Production I

Salaries for an Operator, Production I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,555 in 2023 to around $38,021 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operator, Production I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Operator, Production I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,555
2024
$38,276
2025
$38,021
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,555
2024 $38,276
2025 $38,021
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Operator, Production I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Operator, Production I

Here are companies hiring for Operator, Production I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Operator, Production I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Operator, Production I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Budweiser

    Columbus, OH

    Budweiser | Columbus, OH

    Budweiser - - Responsibilities: Maintain plant safety standards. Perform process quality control checks. Use Six Sigma lean manufacturing processes. Load s... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Vestis

    Columbus, OH

    Vestis | Columbus, OH

    Vestis Industrial Laundry Facility Position. At Vestis, we provide uniforms, workplace supplies, and professional cleaning that help businesses simplify th... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Anheuser-Busch

    Columbus, OH

    Anheuser-Busch | Columbus, OH

    Dreaming Big. Dreaming big is in our DNA. It's who we are as a company. It's our culture. It's our heritage. And more than ever, it's our future. A future ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Vestis

    Columbus, OH

    Vestis | Columbus, OH

    Vestis Industrial Laundry Facility Position. Meet Vestis: For the People Who Make It All Work. At Vestis, we provide uniforms, workplace supplies, and prof... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Vestis

    Columbus, OH

    Vestis | Columbus, OH

    Vestis Industrial Laundry Facility Operator. At Vestis, we provide uniforms, workplace supplies, and professional cleaning that help businesses simplify th... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Becton Dickinson

    Columbus, OH

    Becton Dickinson | Columbus, OH

    Posiflush Production Operator. BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health is our Purpose, and... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Operator, Production I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Operator, Production I?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Operator, Production I roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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