Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Production workers, all other (SOC 51-9199) employed 251,700 people in May 2025. The median pay is $40,110 a year ($19.29 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200 and the highest-paid 10% more than $61,530. BLS projects its employment to change by +0.8% between 2025 and 2035 (about 27,300 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($109,470), Indiana ($48,260), Maryland ($47,640). Most jobs: California (28,090), Georgia (22,440), Tennessee (20,150).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Median | $40,110 | $19.29 |
| Mean | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| 75th percentile | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $61,530 | $29.58 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 275,700 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 277,800 |
| Change in jobs | 2,100 |
| Percent change | +0.8% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 27,300 |
| Self-employed share | 6.2% |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 630 | 0.18 | $37,460 | $24,290 | $61,490 | -7% | 35% |
| Alaska | 100 | 0.19 | $43,560 | $36,680 | $92,290 | +9% | 40% |
| Arizona | 1,750 | 0.33 | $41,350 | $37,300 | $60,910 | +3% | 49% |
| Arkansas | 3,800 | 1.80 | $36,030 | $29,110 | $51,200 | -10% | 33% |
| California | 28,090 | 0.95 | $41,670 | $35,570 | $71,140 | +4% | 61% |
| Colorado | 1,120 | 0.24 | $47,200 | $38,700 | $63,570 | +18% | 46% |
| Connecticut | 2,030 | 0.74 | $45,140 | $35,190 | $69,960 | +13% | 41% |
| Delaware | 70 | 0.09 | $39,720 | $31,200 | $94,340 | -1% | 46% |
| District of Columbia | 70 | 0.06 | $109,470 | $48,350 | $179,600 | +173% | 21% |
| Florida | 11,440 | 0.71 | $37,690 | $28,620 | $59,290 | -6% | 58% |
| Georgia | 22,440 | 2.84 | $39,900 | $29,380 | $61,730 | -1% | 45% |
| Hawaii | 180 | 0.18 | $45,300 | $29,560 | $56,760 | +13% | 51% |
| Idaho | 810 | 0.58 | $37,480 | $32,170 | $56,210 | -7% | 44% |
| Illinois | 9,240 | 0.94 | $41,730 | $31,680 | $65,540 | +4% | 38% |
| Indiana | 2,530 | 0.49 | $48,260 | $35,560 | $77,620 | +20% | 27% |
| Iowa | 3,480 | 1.38 | $44,450 | $30,680 | $60,650 | +11% | 26% |
| Kansas | 610 | 0.26 | $37,070 | $30,050 | $48,060 | -8% | 35% |
| Kentucky | 2,780 | 0.86 | $38,630 | $27,890 | $47,160 | -4% | 31% |
| Louisiana | 7,980 | 2.55 | $45,210 | $30,520 | $63,070 | +13% | 28% |
| Maine | 890 | 0.86 | $46,470 | $38,400 | $68,720 | +16% | 31% |
| Maryland | 2,490 | 0.56 | $47,640 | $34,530 | $72,400 | +19% | 43% |
| Massachusetts | 2,860 | 0.49 | $45,780 | $31,200 | $75,300 | +14% | 48% |
| Michigan | 14,690 | 2.06 | $37,950 | $34,620 | $49,610 | -5% | 37% |
| Minnesota | 3,550 | 0.74 | $47,020 | $37,050 | $60,270 | +17% | 33% |
| Mississippi | 2,710 | 1.44 | $38,570 | $24,960 | $72,770 | -4% | 31% |
| Missouri | 8,300 | 1.75 | $38,470 | $32,210 | $59,630 | -4% | 33% |
| Montana | 290 | 0.36 | $41,990 | $33,800 | $69,060 | +5% | 34% |
| Nebraska | 510 | 0.31 | $42,980 | $31,260 | $64,290 | +7% | 31% |
| Nevada | 3,100 | 1.23 | $40,700 | $31,150 | $62,030 | +1% | 50% |
| New Hampshire | 1,600 | 1.45 | $47,620 | $36,920 | $64,040 | +19% | 39% |
| New Jersey | 5,310 | 0.77 | $40,000 | $34,440 | $58,770 | -0% | 54% |
| New Mexico | 1,920 | 1.36 | $36,460 | $29,900 | $60,230 | -9% | 37% |
| New York | 3,370 | 0.21 | $42,070 | $33,660 | $71,830 | +5% | 47% |
| North Carolina | 18,350 | 2.29 | $38,790 | $29,590 | $60,630 | -3% | 41% |
| North Dakota | 450 | 0.64 | $45,100 | $38,090 | $61,930 | +12% | 26% |
| Ohio | 9,090 | 1.01 | $38,720 | $27,740 | $58,180 | -3% | 34% |
| Oklahoma | 1,250 | 0.45 | $44,120 | $21,860 | $60,720 | +10% | 28% |
| Oregon | 2,530 | 0.79 | $47,180 | $36,450 | $63,340 | +18% | 41% |
| Pennsylvania | 8,490 | 0.86 | $44,290 | $34,440 | $58,170 | +10% | 34% |
| Rhode Island | 420 | 0.52 | $36,130 | $35,360 | $57,030 | -10% | 47% |
| South Carolina | 1,890 | 0.51 | $39,600 | $30,880 | $57,500 | -1% | 39% |
| South Dakota | 140 | 0.19 | $44,910 | $37,540 | $63,170 | +12% | 27% |
| Tennessee | 20,150 | 3.80 | $40,130 | $31,310 | $59,400 | +0% | 38% |
| Texas | 18,340 | 0.81 | $38,850 | $29,700 | $59,000 | -3% | 46% |
| Utah | 4,470 | 1.59 | $41,460 | $31,550 | $55,130 | +3% | 46% |
| Vermont | 470 | 0.96 | $46,570 | $39,000 | $79,580 | +16% | 34% |
| Virginia | 4,970 | 0.75 | $38,340 | $33,650 | $60,310 | -4% | 52% |
| Washington | 1,550 | 0.27 | $47,060 | $40,650 | $79,580 | +17% | 47% |
| West Virginia | 2,260 | 1.99 | $39,500 | $28,460 | $59,160 | -2% | 27% |
| Wisconsin | 5,950 | 1.25 | $42,850 | $33,150 | $59,420 | +7% | 32% |
| Wyoming | 160 | 0.35 | $37,500 | $22,550 | $74,050 | -7% | 32% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 740 | $63,780 | $32,930 | $106,980 | 2.77 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 420 | $63,070 | $34,730 | $72,090 | 2.67 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 320 | $60,080 | $38,120 | $60,080 | 2.05 |
| Columbia, MO | 300 | $53,510 | $35,260 | $78,070 | 1.74 |
| Modesto, CA | 380 | $52,430 | $35,910 | $70,840 | 1.19 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 380 | $51,420 | $38,400 | $64,770 | 0.82 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,470 | $49,450 | $41,530 | $70,470 | 0.80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 690 | $49,120 | $33,800 | $60,100 | 4.13 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 2,340 | $48,790 | $32,220 | $79,620 | 0.53 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 450 | $48,360 | $28,710 | $59,630 | 2.88 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 380 | $48,300 | $38,910 | $53,820 | 2.78 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,140 | $48,260 | $45,800 | $79,580 | 0.34 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,390 | $47,780 | $36,950 | $70,540 | 0.71 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 950 | $47,540 | $36,370 | $78,530 | 0.19 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 560 | $47,230 | $38,700 | $61,160 | 0.22 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 2,060 | $47,120 | $40,320 | $60,710 | 0.65 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 620 | $46,860 | $37,190 | $54,220 | 1.92 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 2,050 | $46,710 | $36,230 | $70,650 | 0.53 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 340 | $46,610 | $36,140 | $62,770 | 1.33 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 590 | $46,590 | $36,680 | $62,830 | 3.59 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,170 | $46,400 | $30,730 | $68,950 | 1.77 |
| Tulsa, OK | 470 | $46,270 | $33,540 | $63,010 | 0.64 |
| Savannah, GA | 990 | $46,140 | $30,670 | $66,430 | 3.07 |
| Worcester, MA | 360 | $45,980 | $31,200 | $62,170 | 0.64 |
| Ogden, UT | 520 | $45,930 | $35,160 | $58,860 | 1.17 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 340 | $45,850 | $28,720 | $57,480 | 2.17 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 750 | $45,820 | $34,820 | $71,570 | 0.77 |
| Madison, WI | 750 | $45,690 | $33,420 | $56,050 | 1.13 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 320 | $45,670 | $35,100 | $99,500 | 0.99 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 800 | $45,530 | $33,650 | $61,540 | 0.65 |
| Jackson, TN | 870 | $45,500 | $32,030 | $60,000 | 6.33 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,090 | $45,470 | $33,610 | $66,750 | 0.50 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 510 | $45,410 | $32,470 | $52,890 | 3.79 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 320 | $45,310 | $36,460 | $72,880 | 0.49 |
| Morristown, TN | 420 | $45,130 | $31,120 | $63,400 | 5.52 |
| Reno, NV | 1,390 | $44,860 | $36,360 | $62,030 | 3.12 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | 670 | $44,820 | $31,060 | $84,950 | 4.34 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,530 | $44,730 | $36,490 | $79,680 | 1.02 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,150 | $44,520 | $30,520 | $63,860 | 1.59 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 330 | $44,260 | $28,960 | $56,920 | 1.26 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 1,870 | $44,230 | $29,310 | $59,610 | 1.41 |
| Appleton, WI | 380 | $44,200 | $36,350 | $58,550 | 1.87 |
| Visalia, CA | 390 | $44,120 | $34,320 | $91,140 | 1.40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 360 | $43,890 | $36,390 | $62,120 | 0.58 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 1,580 | $43,160 | $32,700 | $57,370 | 3.64 |
| Asheville, NC | 580 | $42,810 | $34,970 | $63,340 | 1.98 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 2,850 | $42,760 | $36,880 | $59,600 | 0.61 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,710 | $42,620 | $31,550 | $61,210 | 1.69 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 810 | $42,620 | $30,980 | $66,950 | 1.46 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 450 | $42,500 | $31,680 | $64,350 | 0.64 |
| Johnson City, TN | 370 | $42,480 | $30,220 | $49,270 | 2.83 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 320 | $41,600 | $34,440 | $57,400 | 0.37 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 1,890 | $41,460 | $32,210 | $55,910 | 1.41 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 4,810 | $41,250 | $34,880 | $60,180 | 0.66 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 360 | $41,210 | $36,590 | $54,280 | 1.08 |
| Akron, OH | 540 | $41,160 | $29,660 | $74,260 | 1.04 |
| New Haven, CT | 470 | $41,110 | $35,550 | $63,290 | 1.04 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 500 | $41,080 | $37,420 | $72,850 | 2.88 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 10,720 | $40,970 | $30,220 | $60,090 | 2.29 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,070 | $40,900 | $35,660 | $61,230 | 0.61 |
The median is $40,110 a year ($19.29 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $31,200 and the highest-paid tenth over $61,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
251,700 in May 2025, and BLS projects +0.8% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $109,470 (among states with published figures).