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Production Worker/Machine Operator Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Production Worker/Machine Operator in the United States is $52,267 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,014
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,349 to $58,416
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,871
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $47,349 10% $42,871 90% $64,014 75% $58,416 $52,267 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 $58,416 $4,868 $1,123 $28
Average $52,267 $4,356 $1,005 $25
25th Percentile $47,349 $3,946 $911 $23
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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): $41,091
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,666
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,815
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $55,678
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,893
Levels Salary
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$41,091
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$45,666
Productio... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$51,815
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$55,678
Machine O... Level Production Worker/Machine Operator$80,893
$41,091 0 yr
$45,666 < 2 yrs
$51,815 2-4 yrs
$55,678 5-8 yrs
$80,893 > 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: $57,870.
  • California: $57,650.
  • Massachusetts: $56,882.

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: $65,924
  • San Francisco: $65,202
  • Oakland: $63,828

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.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Standard Operating Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
 $58,016
11%
Standard Operating Procedures
 $55,403
6%
Decision Making
 $54,880
5%
Initiative
 $54,880
5%
SOP
 $54,357
4%
Dedication
 $54,357
4%
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Production Worker/Machine Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Production Worker/Machine Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Production Worker/Machine Operator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Production Worker/Machine Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Production Worker/Machine Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$83,627$40.060%
Software & Networking$78,400$38.050%
Financial Services$73,174$35.040%

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 August 01, 2026
$47,349
Average $52,267/year
$58,416
$3,946
Average $4,356/month
$4,868
$911
Average $1,005/week
$1,123
$23
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,416 $4,868 $1,123 $28
Average $52,267 $4,356 $1,005 $25
25th Percentile $47,349 $3,946 $911 $23

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 $47,691 in 2023 to around $47,237 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
$47,691
2024
$47,554
2025
$47,237
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,691
2024 $47,554
2025 $47,237
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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Common company salaries for Production Worker/Machine Operator

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

Find Your Next Production Worker/Machine Operator Job

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

United States

  • Instacart

    Columbus, OH

    Instacart

    Instacart | Columbus, OH

    Instacart Delivery Drivers shop for groceries and deliver them to customers using the Instacart app. Responsibilities include picking and packing grocery o... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Physician Psychiatry

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    6 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Physician Neurology Ohio Locum Tenens Locums Physician

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    6 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Vice President Credit Risk Strategy&Data Science

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    18 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    Regional Truck Driver Company

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

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FAQ about Production Worker/Machine Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Production Worker/Machine Operator?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Production Worker/Machine Operator roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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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