Career Overview
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Also Known As
- Helper
- Material Handler
- Press Helper
Alternate Job Titles
- Abrasive Mixer Helper
- Acid Filler
- Air and Water Filler
- Aircraft Machinist Helper
- Alodize Machine Helper
- Anglesmith Helper
- Animal Stunner
- Annealer Helper
- Apron Cleaner
- Asbestos Brake Lining Finisher Helper
- Assembly Inspector Helper
- Auto Painter Helper
- Automatic Pad Making Machine Operator Helper
- Automatic Pad-Making Machine Operator Helper
- Automotive Painter Helper
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
- Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
- Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
- Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
- Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
- Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
- Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Finger Dexterity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Claw hammers
- Crescent wrenches
- Forklifts
- Grease guns
- Hand jacks
- Hand saws
- Handtrucks
- Hydraulic booms
- Hydraulic winches
- Industrial platform scales
- Industrial vacuum cleaners
- Jackhammers
- Label-making machines
- Locking pliers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Time Pressure
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $30,060 |
| Median | $38,220 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $52,120 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 167,490
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,860
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,400
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $39,700
Helpers--Carpenters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,600
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,480
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.