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Automotive Parts and Vehicle Manufacturing
Ford, General Motors, Tesla
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
These workers put together parts and subassemblies into finished products, often moving between stations, checking work against blueprints, and fixing small problems as they go. The job is hands-on and detail-heavy, but the tradeoff is clear: pay is modest and the field has almost no growth, so long-term progress usually means moving into lead, quality, or maintenance work.
Also known as AssemblerProduction AssemblerFabricatorAssembly TechnicianMechanical Assembler
Median Salary
$42,210
Mean $44,860
U.S. Workforce
~1.5M
156.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-0.1%
1467.1K to 1465.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~1.5M workers, with a median annual pay of $42,210 and roughly 156.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 1467.1 K in 2024 to 1465.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Production Helper and can progress toward Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Quality Control Analysis, Production Line Monitoring & Inspection, and Operations Monitoring, paired with soft skills such as Attention to Detail, Teamwork, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Read work orders and blueprints to figure out what needs to be built and how each part should fit together.
- Assemble parts at different stations and switch between steps when the production line calls for it.
- Inspect finished pieces and parts for defects, missing pieces, or anything that does not match specifications.
- Keep the work area clean and organized, including sweeping up debris and clearing away scrap materials.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Read work orders and blueprints to figure out what needs to be built and how each part should fit together.
02 Assemble parts at different stations and switch between steps when the production line calls for it.
03 Inspect finished pieces and parts for defects, missing pieces, or anything that does not match specifications.
04 Keep the work area clean and organized, including sweeping up debris and clearing away scrap materials.
05 Show newer workers the correct steps and, when assigned, help coordinate who does each task on the line.
06 Fill out production notes and help with basic upkeep so equipment keeps running safely and reliably.
Industries That Hire
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Aerospace and Defense
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
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Electronics and Consumer Devices
Apple, Samsung, Flex
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Medical Devices
Medtronic, Stryker, Boston Scientific
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Appliances and Household Products
Whirlpool, GE Appliances, Stanley Black & Decker
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The entry barrier is low: most workers start with a high school diploma, and the job does not require prior experience.
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There are a lot of openings, with about 156.3K annual openings, so people who want steady production work usually have options.
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Training is mostly on the job, so you can learn by doing instead of taking on a long degree program.
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The work appears in many industries, from cars and planes to electronics and medical devices, which makes it easier to move between employers.
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If you like visible results, this job gives fast feedback because you can see parts become finished products during the shift.
Challenges
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The pay is fairly modest for physically demanding work, with a median wage of $42,210 and a mean wage of $44,860.
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Growth is flat, not promising: projected employment changes are about -0.1%, which means the field is expected to stay basically unchanged.
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A lot of the work is repetitive and standardizable, so automation can shrink routine assembly tasks over time.
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The job can be hard on the body because it often involves standing, lifting, repetitive motion, noise, and keeping work areas clean.
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Advancement can hit a ceiling quickly unless you move into lead, quality, maintenance, or supervisory work.
Career Progression
Production Helper
0-1 years
$29K-$35K
Learns safety rules, moves parts to the right station, and supports experienced workers on simple tasks.
Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator
1-4 years
$36K-$48K
Builds products, checks fit and finish, reads basic work instructions, and may rotate across several steps in the process.
Lead Assembler THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$49K-$60K
Handles harder assemblies, helps train newer workers, and keeps production moving when quality or equipment issues come up.
Production Supervisor
8+ years
$61K-$80K
Oversees output, staffing, quality, and reporting for a line, shift, or small production team.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The standard entry point, held by 81.47% of workers in this role.
Some college courses or technical classes
A smaller share of workers, 6.61%, have some college coursework, which can help with blueprint reading, shop math, or production basics.
Post-secondary certificate in manufacturing or industrial technology
This is an alternative route for learning assembly methods and equipment basics; only 0.47% of workers report a post-secondary certificate.
Associate's degree in industrial technology or mechatronics
A smaller, less common option, with 0.94% of workers reporting an associate's degree.
Key Skills
Technical
Quality Control Analysis 62%
Production Line Monitoring & Inspection 62%
Operations Monitoring 60%
Blueprint Reading & Work Instructions 60%
Hand Tools, Jigs & Assembly Fixtures 58%
Preventive Maintenance & Basic Troubleshooting 57%
Soft Skills
Attention to DetailTeamworkActive ListeningCoordinationCritical ThinkingInstructing Job Outlook and Trends
+-0.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
156.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 1467.1K to 1465.9 K over the next decade, representing -0.1% growth. Around 156.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.