Production Occupations in Colorado, 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 Colorado. These are estimates of jobs and wages, not job openings.
The group’s own figures in Colorado
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Occupation group code | 51-0000 |
| Employment | 93,310 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 32.275 |
| Location quotient | 0.57 |
| Mean annual wage | $54,980 |
| Median annual wage | $49,230 |
| Mean hourly wage | $26.43 |
| Median hourly wage | $23.67 |
| 10th percentile annual wage | $36,580 |
| 25th percentile annual wage | $40,860 |
| 75th percentile annual wage | $61,520 |
| 90th percentile annual wage | $80,120 |
Detailed occupations in this group in Colorado
Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this group in Colorado, 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 Colorado.
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual wage | Mean annual wage | 10th percentile annual wage | 90th percentile annual wage | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 9,570 | $78,420 | $83,300 | $49,990 | $124,360 | $37.7 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 9,250 | $45,240 | $46,290 | $36,580 | $59,820 | $21.75 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | 4,870 | * | * | * | * | * |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 4,800 | $56,370 | $59,150 | $40,860 | $81,070 | $27.1 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 4,470 | $57,200 | $59,190 | $44,070 | $77,690 | $27.5 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | 4,280 | $47,000 | $50,380 | $37,900 | $67,050 | $22.6 |
| Bakers | 4,160 | $39,430 | $41,620 | $33,690 | $50,140 | $18.96 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | 4,100 | $44,320 | $47,580 | $35,210 | $77,290 | $21.31 |
| Food Batchmakers | 3,740 | $43,590 | $44,990 | $35,800 | $59,410 | $20.96 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | 3,610 | $36,140 | $40,630 | $30,910 | $44,250 | $17.38 |
| Machinists | 2,580 | $58,890 | $59,760 | $41,410 | $79,190 | $28.31 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | 2,410 | $68,220 | $69,130 | $48,440 | $89,910 | $32.8 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,990 | $46,800 | $49,790 | $36,490 | $65,500 | $22.5 |
| Printing Press Operators | 1,950 | $47,270 | $48,140 | $36,200 | $63,810 | $22.73 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | 1,820 | $45,760 | $46,340 | $35,940 | $59,530 | $22 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 1,710 | $49,040 | $58,990 | $34,700 | $96,260 | $23.58 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,710 | $48,680 | $51,960 | $38,360 | $69,910 | $23.4 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 1,570 | $51,900 | $50,050 | $39,530 | $65,410 | $24.95 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | 1,370 | $47,920 | $50,240 | $38,710 | $62,310 | $23.04 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | 1,360 | $52,210 | $60,790 | $46,130 | $84,660 | $25.1 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 1,180 | $50,900 | $54,910 | $38,990 | $75,420 | $24.47 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technicians | 1,110 | $50,710 | $51,070 | $36,910 | $62,970 | $24.38 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | 1,100 | $43,010 | $42,970 | $32,580 | $52,580 | $20.68 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | 950 | $38,710 | $39,750 | $32,380 | $47,570 | $18.61 |
| Sewing Machine Operators | 930 | $38,580 | $41,090 | $33,000 | $50,400 | $18.55 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 850 | $45,930 | $48,060 | $38,450 | $62,500 | $22.08 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 760 | $50,810 | $56,220 | $42,320 | $79,730 | $24.43 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 720 | $45,460 | $47,730 | $38,120 | $60,680 | $21.86 |
| Production Workers, All Other | 720 | $47,650 | $50,610 | $36,520 | $66,500 | $22.91 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 630 | $51,140 | $51,770 | $38,080 | $64,230 | $24.59 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | 620 | $45,480 | $47,960 | $37,650 | $62,620 | $21.87 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | 550 | $73,900 | $72,010 | $49,610 | $94,500 | $35.53 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 530 | $45,340 | $48,690 | $39,520 | $64,280 | $21.8 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 510 | $63,170 | $65,130 | $46,240 | $90,650 | $30.37 |
| Gas Plant Operators | 480 | $92,420 | $92,310 | $78,780 | $107,160 | $44.44 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 460 | $48,550 | $51,680 | $44,140 | $64,250 | $23.34 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | 420 | $59,990 | $56,800 | $39,020 | $72,140 | $28.84 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | 410 | $74,210 | $74,010 | $46,940 | $98,670 | $35.68 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | 410 | $42,780 | $44,900 | $35,980 | $57,690 | $20.57 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 400 | $44,580 | $46,210 | $35,640 | $61,120 | $21.43 |
| Power Plant Operators | 380 | $98,570 | $99,510 | $77,690 | $130,080 | $47.39 |
| Upholsterers | 380 | $55,990 | $58,960 | $39,060 | $90,070 | $26.92 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | 350 | $51,370 | $55,150 | $36,470 | $76,900 | $24.7 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 340 | $46,320 | $46,910 | $36,910 | $57,930 | $22.27 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | 330 | $45,330 | $47,060 | $35,810 | $62,790 | $21.79 |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | 310 | $58,390 | $60,030 | $42,680 | $81,540 | $28.07 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 290 | $50,800 | $49,990 | $41,180 | $62,960 | $24.42 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | 290 | $36,540 | $36,360 | $33,730 | $38,200 | $17.57 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 260 | $49,510 | $46,290 | $30,620 | $58,810 | $23.8 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | 250 | $49,380 | $52,620 | $37,470 | $74,990 | $23.74 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | 240 | $49,830 | $49,940 | $38,780 | $61,100 | $23.96 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | 240 | $46,550 | $47,890 | $39,780 | $57,520 | $22.38 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 230 | $50,750 | $50,040 | $42,520 | $55,390 | $24.4 |
| Tool and Die Makers | 220 | $62,970 | $65,280 | $46,080 | $91,790 | $30.28 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 210 | $50,890 | $49,830 | $41,100 | $59,850 | $24.47 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 210 | $51,090 | $54,260 | $47,310 | $68,270 | $24.56 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 210 | $50,310 | $51,900 | $38,620 | $62,140 | $24.19 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 200 | $50,340 | $52,800 | $43,680 | $64,810 | $24.2 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | 180 | $83,670 | $84,100 | $56,070 | $105,990 | $40.23 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 170 | $68,230 | $67,420 | $39,740 | $99,470 | $32.8 |
| Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 170 | $55,990 | $54,220 | $39,240 | $66,460 | $26.92 |
| Furniture Finishers | 160 | $48,380 | $49,810 | $34,110 | $67,440 | $23.26 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | 140 | $116,220 | $113,690 | $87,170 | $135,210 | $55.87 |
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | 120 | $44,090 | $46,130 | $34,550 | $57,770 | $21.2 |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 120 | $46,500 | $48,830 | $38,180 | $64,850 | $22.36 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 120 | $36,390 | $39,880 | $34,960 | $49,820 | $17.5 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 120 | $53,580 | $54,950 | $42,510 | $66,320 | $25.76 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | 110 | $45,660 | $47,130 | $41,120 | $58,570 | $21.95 |
| Etchers and Engravers | 100 | $41,140 | $42,920 | $34,800 | $57,280 | $19.78 |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 100 | $59,850 | $56,900 | $37,680 | $71,150 | $28.77 |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | 90 | $52,150 | $51,180 | $39,970 | $62,110 | $25.07 |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | 80 | $48,320 | $50,660 | $39,840 | $62,450 | $23.23 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 80 | $56,810 | $61,160 | $47,280 | $81,210 | $27.31 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | 70 | $48,150 | $51,900 | $46,270 | $62,480 | $23.15 |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders | 60 | $47,440 | $50,250 | $39,780 | $70,120 | $22.81 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 60 | $45,410 | $45,360 | $38,340 | $50,680 | $21.83 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | 60 | $39,530 | $41,560 | $35,320 | $48,090 | $19.01 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | 50 | $37,480 | $40,610 | $32,230 | $50,620 | $18.02 |
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 40 | $49,920 | $48,990 | $36,120 | $56,470 | $24 |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 40 | $53,030 | $53,950 | $46,400 | $62,220 | $25.5 |
| Sewers, Hand | 40 | $44,090 | $43,200 | $35,100 | $49,880 | $21.2 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | ** | $60,300 | $62,370 | $52,580 | $78,910 | $28.99 |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | ** | $40,090 | $43,570 | $34,410 | $53,050 | $19.27 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | ** | $39,310 | $44,190 | $29,990 | $60,820 | $18.9 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | ** | $47,170 | $56,040 | $36,810 | $91,320 | $22.68 |
| Woodworkers, All Other | ** | $36,400 | $42,480 | $35,390 | $60,880 | $17.5 |
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=08&OCC_CODE=51-0000. the group row is AREA 08 / OCC_CODE 51-0000, and each table row is its own detailed record for this area, AREA 08 / OCC_CODE 51-xxxx. Reference period: May 2024. Fetched October 2026 from https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24st.zip.