Helpers--Production Workers salary in California
Helpers--Production Workers in California earn a median of $43,970 a year ($21.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,130 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $39,070. California ranks 15th of 49 states for Helpers--Production workers pay. There are 0.92 Helpers--Production workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Production workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| 25th percentile | $38,800 | $18.66 |
| Median | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| 75th percentile | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Average (mean) | $46,150 | $22.19 |
Half of Helpers--Production workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,664.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,832.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,691.15 |
| Weekly | $845.58 |
| Hourly | $21.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Production Workers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $49,920 | 230 |
| Napa, CA | $48,420 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,320 | 380 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $47,120 | 1,590 |
| Redding, CA | $46,340 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,290 | 1,480 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,170 | 670 |
| Salinas, CA | $46,030 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $44,940 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $44,910 | 710 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,210 | 1,990 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $42,490 | 6,810 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $42,360 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $42,320 | 100 |
| Visalia, CA | $41,540 | 210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $40,800 | 210 |
| Chico, CA | $40,540 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $40,540 | 490 |
| Modesto, CA | $39,900 | 230 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $39,730 | 270 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $39,700 | 100 |
| Merced, CA | $38,880 | 140 |
| El Centro, CA | $38,610 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Production workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $46,170 |
| Montana | $46,110 |
| Iowa | $45,560 |
| Colorado | $45,550 |
| Washington | $45,450 |
| Oregon | $45,390 |
| Connecticut | $45,260 |
| Wisconsin | $45,100 |
| Nebraska | $45,020 |
| Minnesota | $44,720 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9198. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Helpers--Production workers make in California?
The median salary for Helpers--Production workers in California is $43,970 a year, or $21.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Production workers make in California?
The top 10% of Helpers--Production workers in California earn at least $62,130 a year. The top 25% earn $49,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Production workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,640 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Production workers earn $38,800 or less.
How many Helpers--Production workers work in California?
About 16,730 Helpers--Production workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.