How much does a factory helper make?
a year · about $19 an hour
A typical factory helper in the United States makes $39,070 a year, about $19 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They bring parts and tools to the line, load or unload machines, and keep the work area clean. They watch equipment, count and inspect finished items, and tell the operator if something looks wrong.
Did you know? At some factories, a helper may mix ingredients according to a formula—not just carry parts or clean!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $31,140 and $53,410How do you become one?
In the US, a high-school diploma or GED is common but not always needed; employers train helpers on the job, usually without a license, exam, or apprenticeship. Federal law bars most factory work before 16 and some hazardous machine jobs before 18.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience and useful machine or quality-checking skills, the factory’s industry or employer, and local demand and living costs. Night shifts or overtime may add pay at some workplaces, depending on the employer.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Iowa ($45,560), lowest in Mississippi ($33,880).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,140 | $39,070 | $53,410 | about 166,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $45,560 | about 2,000 |
| Colorado | $45,550 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $45,450 | about 4,000 |
| Oregon | $45,390 | about 2,000 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Apprentice workers are classified in the appropriate production occupations (51-0000).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-9198.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes519198.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/43-child-labor-non-agriculture
- www.myskillsmyfuture.org/OccupationSkillsGapList.aspx?detailonetcode=51919800&hi
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY