Production Occupations
The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) states the following about production occupations:
Production workers in this group operate machines and other equipment to assemble goods or distribute energy.
Overall employment in production occupations is projected to decline 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, resulting in a decrease of about 163,600 jobs over the decade. Despite declining employment, opportunities are expected to arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 989,900 openings each year, on average, are projected to come from replacement needs.
The median annual wage for this group was $37,710 in May 2021, which was lower than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.
(Source: bls.gov)
Production Jobs
Below you will find a list of production positions with a job summary, entry-level education, and median pay level. Each link brings you to a specific job page where you can find more information about the position and commonly asked interview questions and answers for that job.
| Occupation | Job Summary | Entry-Level Education | 2021 Median Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assemblers and Fabricators | Assemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. | High school diploma or equivalent | $37,170 |
| Bakers | Bakers mix ingredients according to recipes in order to make breads, pastries, and other baked goods. | No formal educational credential | $29,750 |
| Butchers | Butchers cut, trim, and package meat for retail sale. | No formal educational credential | $36,050 |
| Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians | Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians construct, fit, or repair medical appliances and devices. | High school diploma or equivalent | $39,090 |
| Food and Tobacco Processing Workers | Food processing equipment workers operate machinery that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients for manufacturing food products. | High school diploma or equivalent | $35,430 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry. | High school diploma or equivalent | $46,640 |
| Machinists and Tool and Die Makers | Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. | High school diploma or equivalent | $47,940 |
| Metal and Plastic Machine Workers | Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces. | High school diploma or equivalent | $38,040 |
| Painting and Coating Workers | Painting and coating workers paint and coat a wide range of products, often with the use of machines. | High school diploma or equivalent | $38,670 |
| Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers | Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. | High school diploma or equivalent | $94,790 |
| Quality Control Inspectors | Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications. | High school diploma or equivalent | $38,580 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment. | High school diploma or equivalent | $63,500 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines to transfer or treat water or wastewater. | High school diploma or equivalent | $47,880 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, repair, or cut metal parts and products. | High school diploma or equivalent | $47,010 |
| Woodworkers | Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. | High school diploma or equivalent | $36,710 |
(Source: bls.gov)
Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers
Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!
- Accomplishments
- Adaptability
- Admission
- Behavioral
- Career Change
- Career Goals
- Communication
- Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Thinking
- Cultural Fit
- Customer Service
- Direct
- Experience
- Government
- Graduate
- Growth Potential
- Honesty & Integrity
- Illegal
- Inappropriate
- Job Satisfaction
- Leadership
- Management
- Entry-Level & No experience
- Performance-Based
- Personal
- Prioritization & Time Management
- Problem-solving
- Salary
- Situational & Scenario-based
- Stress Management
- Teamwork
- Telephone Interview
- Tough
- Uncomfortable
- Work Ethic