Best paying production jobs

The highest-paying occupations in production, ranked with median wage weighted heaviest.

How this ranking is scored

score = .70·pay + .10·growth + .10·employment + .10·openings

Each factor is scaled to the strongest occupation on this list, then weighted and summed. Weights differ by list type. Full methodology.

Wages — OEWS May 2025

Growth & openings — EP 2024–34

Rank by Overall score ·Pay ·Growth ·Openings

Compare · management·business and finance·technology

#

Occupation

MEDIAN PAY

P25–P75

Growth

Employed

Open/yr

Score

01

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8011

$122,890

-15.3%

5,150

400

100

02

Power Distributors and Dispatchers · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8012

$106,730

-3.2%

8,520

800

87

03

Power Plant Operators · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8013

$102,040

-11.2%

29,320

2,500

83

04

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8093

$96,710

-2.8%

33,160

3,200

79

05

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-1011

$74,450

+1.2%

673,430

67,700

75

06

Gas Plant Operators · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8092

$87,820

-8.8%

18,030

1,300

72

07

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers · Postsecondary nondegree award · 51-9162

$68,120

+12.8%

28,500

3,100

70

08

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8021

$78,620

+2.2%

28,250

3,800

67

09

Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-2090

$44,650

-0.1%

1.4M

156,300

65

10

Chemical Plant and System Operators · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8091

$78,120

-6.1%

16,610

1,600

64

11

Semiconductor Processing Technicians · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-9141

$51,430

+10.9%

31,460

3,900

55

12

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-4121

$53,750

+2.2%

416,210

45,600

55

13

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-2011

$65,380

-14.5%

34,020

2,800

54

14

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-9011

$58,040

+3.3%

139,630

14,400

54

15

Machinists · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-4041

$58,750

0.0%

287,050

29,500

53

16

Tool and Die Makers · Postsecondary nondegree award · 51-4111

$64,050

-10.8%

56,930

4,700

53

17

Plant and System Operators, All Other · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8099

$62,470

+1.6%

14,080

1,600

53

18

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-4192

$63,870

-5.4%

5,970

500

52

19

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-9061

$48,570

0.0%

597,370

69,900

52

20

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-4061

$63,340

-18.2%

2,610

300

52

21

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-8031

$60,020

-6.5%

128,490

10,700

51

22

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-6092

$62,750

-10.2%

2,950

300

51

23

Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-2061

$62,620

-17.5%

250

0

51

24

Tire Builders · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-9197

$57,390

+2.3%

20,770

2,500

50

25

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent · 51-9111

$43,220

+4.5%

379,060

45,300

48

Showing top 25 of 105 scored occupations — show all 105show top 25

#

Occupation

MEDIAN PAY

Growth

Score

26

Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers · High school diploma or equivalent

$45,850

+4.6%

48

27

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$58,000

-24.4%

47

28

Food Batchmakers · High school diploma or equivalent

$42,290

+6.9%

46

29

Model Makers, Wood · High school diploma or equivalent

$56,550

-4.5%

46

30

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,170

+6.2%

45

31

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$54,430

-2.3%

45

32

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers · High school diploma or equivalent

$53,710

-21.1%

44

33

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators · High school diploma or equivalent

$50,690

-10.7%

44

34

Medical Appliance Technicians · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,030

+3.7%

43

35

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers · High school diploma or equivalent

$52,540

-5.5%

43

36

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$52,800

-14.4%

43

37

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,880

+4.2%

43

38

Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,250

+0.7%

43

39

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$51,610

-4.3%

43

40

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,040

+3.0%

43

41

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters · High school diploma or equivalent

$51,330

-16.3%

43

42

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$50,270

-6.3%

43

Bakers · No formal educational credential

$37,160

+5.6%

42

44

Pourers and Casters, Metal · High school diploma or equivalent

$51,810

-4.7%

42

45

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$41,330

+7.2%

42

46

Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,990

-6.8%

42

47

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$50,620

-13.6%

41

48

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$47,720

+1.2%

41

49

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$50,140

-8.3%

41

50

Dental Laboratory Technicians · High school diploma or equivalent

$49,610

-4.7%

41

51

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners · High school diploma or equivalent

$50,060

-7.8%

41

52

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$47,180

-0.5%

41

53

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,330

-12.1%

41

54

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$45,760

+2.0%

41

55

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers · No formal educational credential

$38,300

+5.5%

40

56

Patternmakers, Wood · High school diploma or equivalent

$49,630

-5.0%

40

57

Prepress Technicians and Workers · Postsecondary nondegree award

$48,690

-14.6%

40

58

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$49,030

-18.9%

40

59

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$49,080

-19.6%

40

60

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,540

-2.5%

40

61

Printing Press Operators · High school diploma or equivalent

$45,780

-8.1%

40

62

Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,750

-12.8%

40

63

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$43,530

+3.6%

40

64

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$47,920

-9.0%

40

65

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,680

-1.6%

39

66

Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,220

-6.3%

39

67

Food Processing Workers, All Other · No formal educational credential

$39,680

+5.3%

39

68

Foundry Mold and Coremakers · High school diploma or equivalent

$48,110

-25.9%

39

69

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers · No formal educational credential

$34,890

+5.4%

39

70

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,460

+1.0%

39

71

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$44,350

-3.8%

39

72

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,550

-12.0%

39

73

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,570

-2.3%

39

74

Production Workers, All Other · High school diploma or equivalent

$40,110

+0.5%

39

75

Upholsterers · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,340

-1.8%

38

76

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers · High school diploma or equivalent

$46,350

-1.1%

38

77

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other · High school diploma or equivalent

$45,950

-9.5%

38

78

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders · No formal educational credential

$44,810

+0.6%

38

79

Butchers and Meat Cutters · No formal educational credential

$40,140

+1.0%

37

80

Slaughterers and Meat Packers · No formal educational credential

$40,130

+2.2%

37

81

Furniture Finishers · High school diploma or equivalent

$44,540

-3.3%

37

82

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing · High school diploma or equivalent

$43,380

-1.8%

36

83

Woodworkers, All Other · High school diploma or equivalent

$44,530

-4.4%

36

84

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic · High school diploma or equivalent

$43,960

-13.6%

36

85

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood · High school diploma or equivalent

$42,770

-0.6%

36

86

Helpers--Production Workers · High school diploma or equivalent

$39,070

-8.9%

36

87

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers · No formal educational credential

$41,600

+1.4%

36

88

Etchers and Engravers · High school diploma or equivalent

$43,310

-0.7%

35

89

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$41,590

+0.6%

35

90

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians · High school diploma or equivalent

$39,460

+2.3%

35

91

Print Binding and Finishing Workers · High school diploma or equivalent

$42,290

-16.1%

35

92

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand · No formal educational credential

$42,660

-21.2%

35

93

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers · No formal educational credential

$41,640

-4.5%

34

94

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators · High school diploma or equivalent

$40,610

-2.6%

33

95

Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$39,530

-11.2%

32

96

Sewing Machine Operators · No formal educational credential

$36,670

-10.8%

32

97

Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$38,670

-9.0%

32

98

Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$38,760

-11.7%

32

99

Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$38,180

-10.1%

31

100

Cutters and Trimmers, Hand · No formal educational credential

$38,020

-18.1%

31

101

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers · High school diploma or equivalent

$37,800

-3.8%

31

102

Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other · High school diploma or equivalent

$37,280

-9.4%

31

103

Sewers, Hand · No formal educational credential

$36,480

-7.0%

30

104

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders · High school diploma or equivalent

$35,650

-3.7%

29

105

Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials · No formal educational credential

$35,060

-13.5%

29

Fastest-growing production careers

01 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers +12.8%

02 Semiconductor Processing Technicians +10.9%

03 Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders +7.2%

04 Food Batchmakers +6.9%

05 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic +6.2%

production careers without a four-year degree

01 Nuclear Power Reactor Operators $122,890

02 Power Distributors and Dispatchers $106,730

03 Power Plant Operators $102,040

04 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers $96,710

05 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,450

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About production careers

How many production careers are there?

Jobs.best ranks 105 production occupations with published wages, from OEWS May 2025.

What is the highest-paying production job?

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, with a national median of $122,890.

Can you enter production without a degree?

Yes — 5 of the ranked production occupations typically need no four-year degree, including Nuclear Power Reactor Operators.