Team Assemblers
SOC code 51-2092 · O*NET-SOC 51-2092.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Team assemblers build products on production lines, working as a rotating team through each stage of assembly. It is the largest manufacturing occupation in the country. Quality and consistency are the skills that matter, and machine operation or inspection roles are the usual next step.
Team Assemblers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$44,650
a year
Hourly
$21.47
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$46,660
$22.43 per hour
Middle 50%
$37,380 – $51,200
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$33,280 – $64,880
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
1,405,030
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $33,280
- $16.00/hr
- 25th percentile
- $37,380
- $17.97/hr
- Median percentile
- $44,650
- $21.47/hr
- 75th percentile
- $51,200
- $24.61/hr
- 90th percentile
- $64,880
- $31.19/hr
What does a team assembler do?
Work as part of a team having responsibility for assembling an entire product or component of a product. Team assemblers can perform all tasks conducted by the team in the assembly process and rotate through all or most of them, rather than being assigned to a specific task on a permanent basis. May participate in making management decisions affecting the work. Includes team leaders who work as part of the team.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Perform quality checks on products and parts.
- Review work orders and blueprints to ensure work is performed according to specifications.
- Provide assistance in the production of wiring assemblies.
- Maintain production equipment and machinery.
- Rotate through all the tasks required in a particular production process.
- Complete production reports to communicate team production level to management.
- Determine work assignments and procedures.
- Supervise assemblers and train employees on job procedures.
How to become a team assembler
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 81% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)81%
- Bachelor's Degree7%
- Some College Courses7%
- Less than a High School Diploma4%
Common questions
How much does a team assembler earn?
The national median is $44,650 a year. The full range runs from $33,280 at the 10th percentile to $64,880 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a team assembler without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing4.3/5
- Mechanical3.7/5
- Public Safety and Security3.5/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Design3.3/5
- Engineering and Technology3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Instructing, Operations Monitoring.