General Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a General Worker make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Worker in the United States is $43,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a General Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,589
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $40,239 to $48,681
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,462
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View as table View as graph 25% $40,239 10% $37,462 90% $53,589 75% $48,681 $43,290 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

General Worker Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $48,681 $4,057 $936 $23
Average $43,290 $3,607 $832 $21
25th Percentile $40,239 $3,353 $774 $19
Check out General Worker Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence General Worker Salaries

A General Worker'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 General Worker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Worker'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): $42,371
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,893
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $44,637
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $44,875
  • Expert (over 8 years): $45,272
Levels Salary
Entry Level General Worker$42,371
Intermediate Level General Worker$42,893
Senior Level General Worker$44,637
Specialist Level General Worker$44,875
Expert Level General Worker$45,272
$42,371 0 yr
$42,893 < 2 yrs
$44,637 2-4 yrs
$44,875 5-8 yrs
$45,272 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do General Worker 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 General Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $47,930.
  • California: $47,748.
  • Massachusetts: $47,112.

Top Paying Cities for General Workers

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: $54,601
  • San Francisco: $54,003
  • Oakland: $52,865

What Skills Can Increase a General Worker's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.76% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 3.24% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.59% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.76%
Packaging 3.24%
Work Ethic 2.59%
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 General Worker's salary.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Hydraulics: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling
$52,380
21%
Hydraulics
$48,917
13%
Presentation
$46,320
7%
Packaging
$46,320
7%
Leadership
$45,887
6%
Communicates Effectively
$45,454
5%
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General Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Worker roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, General Worker positions in Healthcare or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Worker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$60,605$29.040%
Aerospace & Defense$58,441$28.035%
Biotechnology$56,276$27.030%
Financial Services$54,112$26.025%
Insurance$51,948$25.020%

How Education impacts a General Worker's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Workers 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 General Worker with a No Diploma is between $32,956 and $35,920).

General Worker Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Worker
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.0%
High School 74.6%
Associates 7.5%
Bachelors 8.0%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
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General Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Worker'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 General Worker

Salaries for a General Worker can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $45,748 in 2023 to around $45,781 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of General Worker salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of General Worker Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$45,748
2024
$45,955
2025
$45,781
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $45,748
2024 $45,955
2025 $45,781
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for General Worker

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for General Worker

Here are companies hiring for General Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next General Worker Job

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

United States
  • Alto Health Care Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    RN

    Alto Health Care Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Position Overview. We are currently seeking experienced and compassionate Registered Nurses (RNs) to join our network of healthcare professionals. As a Reg... more

    3 Days Ago

  • AMN Healthcare, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    AMN Healthcare, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description & Requirements Gastroenterology Physician StartDate: ASAP Available Shifts: 32 Days of Paid Time Off A nationally recognized organization c... more

    3 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    5 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    7 Days Ago

  • The Curare Group, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    The Curare Group, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Hospital is seeking a Board Certified/Board Eligible Pediatrician to join a well-respected and growing practice located an hour from Columbus. Only Pediatr... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about General Worker

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Worker?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for General Worker roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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