Production Occupations in California, May 2024
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 state estimates. BLS sorts every occupation into one of 22 major groups; this is the Production Occupations group in California. These are estimates of jobs and wages, not job openings.
The group’s own figures in California
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupation group code | 51-0000 |
| Employment | 775,080 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 42.922 |
| Location quotient | 0.76 |
| Mean annual wage | $53,500 |
| Median annual wage | $46,860 |
| Mean hourly wage | $25.72 |
| Median hourly wage | $22.53 |
| 10th percentile annual wage | $36,000 |
| 25th percentile annual wage | $38,630 |
| 75th percentile annual wage | $60,320 |
| 90th percentile annual wage | $79,360 |
Detailed occupations in this group in California
Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this group in California, sorted by employment. Rows where BLS publishes no employment estimate (**) come last. Click a column heading to sort. A cell that reads “not published annually” or “not published hourly” means BLS publishes that row on the other basis only. A cell showing * or # is BLS’s own footnote symbol, explained below the table. Each row is that occupation’s own BLS record for California.
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual wage | Mean annual wage | 10th percentile annual wage | 90th percentile annual wage | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 107,090 | $46,040 | $48,680 | $35,780 | $64,570 | $22.14 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 60,280 | $50,430 | $57,580 | $37,830 | $82,680 | $24.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 51,710 | $75,250 | $80,560 | $46,870 | $124,920 | $36.18 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | 45,330 | $43,670 | $45,600 | $35,360 | $60,470 | $20.99 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | 38,580 | $46,720 | $50,700 | $36,360 | $72,260 | $22.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | 37,490 | $39,430 | $46,610 | $34,980 | $65,640 | $18.96 |
| Bakers | 32,140 | $39,570 | $42,560 | $35,640 | $50,930 | $19.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 26,100 | $57,940 | $61,980 | $44,200 | $84,690 | $27.86 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | 22,630 | $36,740 | $38,810 | $34,360 | $45,720 | $17.66 |
| Machinists | 21,580 | $56,220 | $60,050 | $36,370 | $86,060 | $27.03 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | 21,220 | $44,310 | $45,860 | $35,580 | $59,900 | $21.31 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 18,870 | $55,250 | $57,010 | $38,520 | $76,990 | $26.56 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | 18,450 | $43,670 | $45,440 | $35,490 | $60,330 | $21 |
| Sewing Machine Operators | 14,780 | $37,010 | $39,930 | $34,510 | $48,090 | $17.79 |
| Printing Press Operators | 11,990 | $46,020 | $49,220 | $36,350 | $64,060 | $22.12 |
| Food Batchmakers | 11,530 | $40,110 | $43,010 | $34,510 | $56,880 | $19.29 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | 11,260 | $82,100 | $86,500 | $52,510 | $123,870 | $39.47 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 11,190 | $51,710 | $59,220 | $38,650 | $84,300 | $24.86 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 11,030 | $59,090 | $62,590 | $38,650 | $86,070 | $28.41 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 9,650 | $45,380 | $47,290 | $36,050 | $61,000 | $21.82 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | 8,560 | $47,870 | $51,780 | $37,930 | $67,390 | $23.01 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 7,800 | $45,640 | $47,900 | $36,330 | $63,040 | $21.94 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | 7,800 | $78,490 | $81,960 | $43,530 | $128,440 | $37.73 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | 7,740 | $36,790 | $39,590 | $35,210 | $46,310 | $17.69 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | 7,560 | $38,300 | $41,790 | $34,340 | $56,150 | $18.41 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 7,340 | $47,100 | $49,670 | $37,010 | $61,210 | $22.64 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 6,860 | $47,840 | $54,170 | $36,860 | $78,850 | $23 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | 6,830 | $38,660 | $41,580 | $36,840 | $47,960 | $18.59 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 5,830 | $57,150 | $57,980 | $38,600 | $79,760 | $27.48 |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 5,580 | $46,370 | $46,920 | $36,250 | $58,090 | $22.29 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 5,050 | $50,030 | $51,760 | $38,660 | $61,370 | $24.05 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 4,860 | $44,970 | $46,580 | $35,700 | $61,190 | $21.62 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 4,480 | $46,590 | $49,750 | $36,400 | $68,440 | $22.4 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | 4,330 | $38,160 | $39,300 | $34,670 | $45,440 | $18.35 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | 4,090 | $48,390 | $51,840 | $36,120 | $72,510 | $23.27 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 3,950 | $48,480 | $57,240 | $37,850 | $82,770 | $23.31 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 3,830 | $44,230 | $46,150 | $35,290 | $61,350 | $21.26 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | 3,640 | $107,270 | $102,960 | $61,430 | $124,040 | $51.57 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 3,440 | $45,020 | $45,280 | $37,380 | $56,510 | $21.64 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3,150 | $45,610 | $47,340 | $36,020 | $61,360 | $21.93 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | 2,960 | $37,440 | $39,910 | $34,770 | $47,350 | $18 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | 2,750 | $78,750 | $84,340 | $51,030 | $124,170 | $37.86 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | 2,700 | $59,100 | $60,700 | $41,590 | $78,650 | $28.42 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 2,680 | $56,460 | $57,260 | $40,070 | $74,190 | $27.15 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | 2,530 | $43,770 | $44,890 | $36,340 | $56,840 | $21.04 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,510 | $45,950 | $50,380 | $36,200 | $72,140 | $22.09 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technicians | 2,510 | $49,270 | $51,960 | $40,520 | $63,620 | $23.69 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | 2,500 | $45,540 | $46,180 | $36,250 | $60,260 | $21.89 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | 2,490 | $44,860 | $48,120 | $36,710 | $65,850 | $21.57 |
| Power Plant Operators | 2,390 | $105,520 | $110,380 | $61,320 | $168,180 | $50.73 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | 2,340 | $44,720 | $46,260 | $36,070 | $59,370 | $21.5 |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 2,330 | $47,660 | $51,980 | $38,350 | $72,680 | $22.91 |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | 2,310 | $43,170 | $44,980 | $36,430 | $58,650 | $20.76 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 2,310 | $47,180 | $53,350 | $37,840 | $69,330 | $22.68 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | 2,240 | $45,390 | $52,380 | $37,330 | $80,900 | $21.82 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 2,180 | $49,850 | $53,670 | $38,070 | $76,050 | $23.97 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | 2,000 | $73,950 | $73,780 | $45,040 | $101,800 | $35.55 |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,890 | $54,960 | $57,190 | $39,890 | $78,620 | $26.42 |
| Upholsterers | 1,880 | $47,840 | $49,560 | $35,240 | $62,400 | $23 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | 1,780 | $45,140 | $45,860 | $36,400 | $60,110 | $21.7 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 1,720 | $56,160 | $59,640 | $43,670 | $84,750 | $27 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 1,670 | $52,480 | $53,960 | $34,980 | $79,200 | $25.23 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 1,470 | $49,430 | $54,400 | $38,040 | $77,450 | $23.77 |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | 1,400 | $47,380 | $53,460 | $37,120 | $80,100 | $22.78 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | 1,400 | $42,980 | $45,140 | $36,050 | $60,720 | $20.66 |
| Tool and Die Makers | 1,380 | $77,800 | $75,600 | $49,060 | $102,370 | $37.4 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,350 | $48,780 | $54,280 | $37,320 | $80,690 | $23.45 |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | 1,100 | $44,340 | $47,760 | $35,750 | $61,680 | $21.32 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | 1,010 | $37,330 | $37,660 | $36,840 | $38,600 | $17.95 |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | 950 | $36,470 | $40,240 | $33,620 | $50,520 | $17.53 |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | 940 | $36,770 | $43,280 | $34,410 | $61,210 | $17.68 |
| Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators | 940 | $45,850 | $51,050 | $33,850 | $80,040 | $22.04 |
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | 930 | $44,420 | $50,170 | $35,830 | $79,560 | $21.36 |
| Furniture Finishers | 920 | $46,060 | $48,720 | $35,880 | $65,980 | $22.14 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 910 | $77,440 | $73,200 | $39,110 | $100,140 | $37.23 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 880 | $38,280 | $41,460 | $35,790 | $48,490 | $18.4 |
| Etchers and Engravers | 860 | $42,800 | $46,780 | $34,590 | $62,260 | $20.58 |
| Woodworkers, All Other | 850 | $44,930 | $49,250 | $38,600 | $67,080 | $21.6 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 800 | $48,280 | $52,420 | $40,030 | $66,280 | $23.21 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | 780 | $53,350 | $54,870 | $38,260 | $75,100 | $25.65 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | 770 | $116,360 | $130,210 | $88,820 | $171,500 | $55.94 |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | 690 | $38,830 | $43,560 | $35,170 | $61,630 | $18.67 |
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 690 | $48,220 | $54,330 | $37,870 | $80,810 | $23.19 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 670 | $37,290 | $40,710 | $33,990 | $47,720 | $17.93 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | 640 | $50,060 | $52,240 | $36,400 | $75,360 | $24.07 |
| Gas Plant Operators | 630 | $124,980 | $118,680 | $80,120 | $136,130 | $60.09 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 610 | $42,790 | $45,820 | $37,770 | $57,890 | $20.57 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | 600 | $37,120 | $38,180 | $34,420 | $41,210 | $17.85 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | 590 | $88,280 | $88,770 | $73,070 | $108,420 | $42.44 |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders | 550 | $40,590 | $45,720 | $34,420 | $66,300 | $19.51 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | 540 | $58,220 | $59,120 | $41,960 | $77,330 | $27.99 |
| Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 480 | $57,620 | $59,120 | $40,420 | $78,950 | $27.7 |
| Tire Builders | 360 | $39,400 | $42,200 | $35,750 | $51,480 | $18.94 |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | 350 | $77,970 | $86,050 | $52,260 | $123,990 | $37.49 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 330 | $47,310 | $48,360 | $37,310 | $67,160 | $22.74 |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | 310 | $71,780 | $72,220 | $52,220 | $88,640 | $34.51 |
| Pourers and Casters, Metal | 250 | $40,770 | $44,370 | $37,550 | $57,960 | $19.6 |
| Sewers, Hand | 150 | $35,550 | $39,210 | $33,280 | $47,480 | $17.09 |
| Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders | 60 | $46,240 | $49,310 | $42,680 | $58,200 | $22.23 |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | ** | $65,570 | $71,010 | $52,360 | $94,270 | $31.53 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | ** | $43,180 | $42,390 | $34,560 | $53,450 | $20.76 |
Symbols (BLS wording, workbook sheet Field Descriptions sheet): ** indicates that an employment estimate is not available · * indicates that a wage estimate is not available · # indicates a wage equal to or greater than $115.00 per hour or $239,200 per year. A wage shown as a symbol is not zero and not a blank: BLS publishes no number there.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 state estimates. Record: state_M2024_dl.xlsx!AREA=06&OCC_CODE=51-0000. the group row is AREA 06 / OCC_CODE 51-0000, and each table row is its own detailed record for this area, AREA 06 / OCC_CODE 51-xxxx. Reference period: May 2024. Fetched October 2026 from https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24st.zip.