6 free templates by industry: standard, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, small-manufacturer, and entry-level, with BLS pay data, the FLSA overtime rule, ADA-aware physical requirements, and the OSHA safety structure generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
A production technician operates, maintains, and troubleshoots the equipment that makes a company's products, and it is one of the most common production hires a small manufacturer makes as it grows. The job description that brings one in looks simple, but the generic templates online skip the things that matter most for this role: the overtime classification, a real OSHA safety structure, ADA-aware physical requirements, and an honest version for a small shop making its first production hire.
At FirstHR, we build for small manufacturers that hire without an HR department, where the owner writes the posting and a production technician is a key early hire. The six templates below cover the role across industries: standard, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, small-manufacturer first hire, and entry-level operator. Each is ready to use. Fill in the bracketed fields and post, and the guide to writing a job description covers the fundamentals behind any posting.
TL;DR
Six free production technician job description templates by industry: Standard, Food, Pharmaceutical, Electronics, Small Manufacturer, and Entry-Level Operator. A production technician is a blue-collar role that is always non-exempt and owed overtime; the administrative exemption does not apply. The broad production group reports a median near $45,960 a year. Download as DOCX, with OSHA safety and FLSA guidance built in.
What a Production Technician Does
A production technician operates, monitors, and maintains the equipment that manufactures a company's products. The work is hands-on: running equipment to spec, following standard operating procedures, performing quality checks, carrying out basic maintenance and troubleshooting, keeping production records, and following safety procedures. It sits a step above an entry-level operator in skill and troubleshooting responsibility.
The role falls within the broad production occupations group that the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks, which covers the workers who assemble, operate, and tend the equipment that makes goods. The specifics shift by industry, from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals to electronics. For scoping any role before posting, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Production Technician Duties and Responsibilities
Production technician duties cluster into four areas: running the equipment, quality and records, maintenance and troubleshooting, and safety. A good job description picks the specific duties from each area that match your industry rather than listing every possible task.
Run the equipment
Operate and monitor production equipment
Follow SOPs and work instructions
Meet production and quality targets
Quality and records
Perform quality checks and document results
Maintain production and batch records
Report defects and downtime
Maintenance and troubleshooting
Carry out basic preventive maintenance
Troubleshoot equipment issues
Keep the work area clean and organized
Safety
Follow safety procedures and wear PPE
Follow lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147)
Report safety concerns and hazards
For a food technician the GMP and sanitation duties dominate; for a pharma technician, cGMP and documentation lead; for an electronics technician, soldering and IPC inspection. The defining thread across every industry is safe, on-spec production. Scale the duties to your operation and equipment.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by your industry and the level of the role. The run-and-maintain-equipment core runs through all six, but each one emphasizes the duties, standards, and compliance that fit a specific kind of manufacturer. Use this guide to choose.
Standard Production Technician
General manufacturing
The universal version: operate and maintain equipment, follow SOPs, run quality checks, and troubleshoot. Industry-neutral. Start here and adapt.
Food Production
Food and beverage, GMP/HACCP
For food and beverage makers: GMP, HACCP, allergen control, sanitation, and critical control point monitoring, with food safety built in.
Pharmaceutical
Pharma/biotech, cGMP/cleanroom
For pharma and biotech: cGMP, cleanroom grades, aseptic technique, batch manufacturing records, and deviation reporting. Precision and documentation driven.
Electronics / PCB
Electronics and EMS, ESD/IPC
For electronics makers: PCB assembly, soldering, ESD controls, and IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 workmanship standards, with inspection and fine motor work.
Small Manufacturer / First Hire
5-20 employees, no HR
For a small manufacturer making a first or second production hire: a cross-functional, wear-many-hats role with on-the-job training. The version generic templates skip.
Production Operator / Line Worker
Entry-level line role
For an entry-level line role: operate machinery, assemble or package, basic quality checks. Lower skill level than a technician, with paid training.
Match the Template to the Industry
General manufacturing: Standard. Food and beverage: Food Production. Pharma or biotech: Pharmaceutical. Electronics or EMS: Electronics / PCB. A small shop making a first production hire: Small Manufacturer. An entry-level line role: Production Operator. When in doubt at a small general manufacturer, the Standard or Small Manufacturer version is the baseline to adapt.
6 Free Production Technician Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each one follows the same structure: company and role summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, physical and safety requirements, pay and overtime, and how to apply. Fill in the brackets before you post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
Standard, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, small manufacturer, and entry-level operator. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Standard Production Technician
The universal version: operate and maintain equipment, follow SOPs, run quality checks, and troubleshoot. Industry-neutral. Use this for most settings and adapt it to your products.
Production Technician Job Description (Standard)
PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Production Supervisor
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Schedule: [day / night / rotating shift]
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your company, what you manufacture, and the production
team this technician will join. Note shift and overtime expectations.]
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Production Technician to operate, monitor, and maintain
production equipment and help manufacture our products to quality and safety
standards. You will run equipment to specification, follow standard operating
procedures, perform quality checks and basic maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and
keep accurate production records on a hands-on production team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Operate and monitor production equipment to specification
•Follow standard operating procedures and work instructions
•Perform quality checks and document results
•Carry out basic preventive maintenance and troubleshooting
•Maintain accurate production and batch records
•Keep the work area clean, organized, and safe
•Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout and PPE
•Report defects, downtime, and safety concerns
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent
•Manufacturing or production experience a plus; training provided
•Able to follow SOPs, work instructions, and safety procedures
•Comfortable with basic math, measurements, and reading instruments
•Mechanical aptitude and attention to detail
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The essential functions of this role, with or without reasonable accommodation,
include: routinely lifts and moves up to [50] lbs; remains in a standing position
for approximately [80%] of the shift; bends, reaches, and performs repetitive
motion. Work environment may include [noise requiring hearing protection,
temperature variation, moving machinery].
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Follow all safety procedures, wear required PPE, and complete safety training,
which may include OSHA 10 or 30, lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147), and
hazard communication. This is general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
Overtime: 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 per week
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Food Production Technician (GMP / HACCP)
For food and beverage makers: GMP, HACCP, allergen control, sanitation, and critical control point monitoring, with food safety built in.
Food Production Technician Job Description (GMP / HACCP)
FOOD PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION (GMP / HACCP)
Company: __ (food / beverage manufacturer)
Location: __
Reports to: Production / Quality Supervisor
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Food Production Technician to run food production
equipment and processes while following food safety and sanitation standards. You
will operate and monitor equipment, follow Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP
procedures, monitor critical control points, complete batch records, and maintain
a clean, compliant production area.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Operate and monitor food production equipment
•Follow GMP, SSOP, and HACCP procedures
•Monitor and record critical control points (temperature, etc.)
•Follow allergen control and sanitation requirements
•Complete batch records and production logs
•Perform sanitation and gowning per procedure
•Follow FDA and USDA compliance requirements as applicable
•Report quality, safety, or sanitation issues
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent
•Food production experience a plus; training provided
•Willingness to follow GMP, HACCP, and hygiene standards
•ServSafe or food safety training a plus
•Attention to detail and accurate recordkeeping
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation, include:
routinely lifts and moves up to [50] lbs; stands for approximately [80%] of the
shift; works in a [cold / wet / temperature-controlled] environment; performs
repetitive motion.
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE NOTE
This role follows food safety (GMP, HACCP), sanitation, and OSHA safety
requirements, including PPE and chemical safety for sanitation chemicals. This is
general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
Overtime: 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 per week
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Still Using Spreadsheets for Onboarding?
Automate documents, training assignments, task management, and track onboarding progress in real time.
Template 3: Pharmaceutical Production Technician (cGMP / Cleanroom)
For pharma and biotech: cGMP, cleanroom grades, aseptic technique, batch manufacturing records, and deviation reporting. Precision and documentation driven.
Pharmaceutical Production Technician Job Description (cGMP / Cleanroom)
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION (cGMP / CLEANROOM)
Company: __ (pharma / biotech manufacturer)
Location: __
Reports to: Manufacturing / Quality Supervisor
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Pharmaceutical Production Technician to manufacture
product under current Good Manufacturing Practices in a controlled, cleanroom
environment. You will operate equipment, follow cGMP and batch manufacturing
records precisely, maintain aseptic technique and gowning, document every step,
and support quality and deviation reporting.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Manufacture product following cGMP (21 CFR 210/211)
•Operate equipment in a cleanroom (ISO 14644 / Grade A-D)
•Follow aseptic technique and gowning procedures
•Complete batch manufacturing records (BMR) accurately
•Perform clean-in-place and sterilize-in-place as required
•Document deviations and support investigations
•Collaborate with QA and QC on quality requirements
•Maintain a controlled, compliant production environment
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent; science coursework a plus
•Pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing experience a plus
•Willingness to follow cGMP and cleanroom procedures precisely
•Strong documentation discipline and attention to detail
•Comfortable with gowning and cleanroom restrictions
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation, include:
remains standing for extended periods; lifts up to [25] lbs; works in cleanroom
gowning for full shifts; performs detailed, repetitive tasks with precision.
SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE NOTE
This role follows cGMP, cleanroom, and OSHA safety requirements, including PPE,
gowning, and chemical safety. Documentation and compliance are central to the role.
This is general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
Overtime: 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 per week
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Electronics / PCB Production Technician (ESD / IPC)
For electronics makers: PCB assembly, soldering, ESD controls, and IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 workmanship standards, with inspection and fine motor work.
Electronics / PCB Production Technician Job Description (ESD / IPC)
ELECTRONICS / PCB PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION (ESD / IPC)
Company: __ (electronics / EMS manufacturer)
Location: __
Reports to: Production / Quality Supervisor
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring an Electronics Production Technician to assemble, solder,
and inspect printed circuit boards and electronic assemblies to IPC standards. You
will build to workmanship standards, follow ESD controls, perform soldering and
inspection, read schematics, and document your work in a precision-driven
production environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Assemble and solder PCBs to IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 standards
For a small manufacturer making a first or second production hire: a cross-functional, wear-many-hats role with on-the-job training and the owner as direct supervisor. The version generic templates leave out.
Production Technician Job Description (Small Manufacturer / First Hire)
PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION (SMALL MANUFACTURER / FIRST HIRE)
Company: __ (small manufacturer)
Location: __
Reports to: Owner / Operations Lead
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is a growing small manufacturer hiring a Production Technician, one
of our first production hires. On a small team you will wear a few hats: run and
maintain equipment, help with quality and packaging, keep the shop organized, and
learn our process from the ground up. No prior experience required; we provide
on-the-job training. You will work directly with the owner.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Operate and maintain production equipment
•Help with quality checks, packaging, and shipping
•Follow safety procedures and keep the shop clean
•Learn our process and standard operating procedures
•Track materials, supplies, and basic production records
•Pitch in across the small team as needed
•Flag problems and suggest improvements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent
•No experience required; on-the-job training provided
•Reliable, hands-on, and willing to learn
•Mechanical aptitude and attention to detail
•Comfortable in a small, flexible team
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation, include:
routinely lifts and moves up to [50] lbs; stands for most of the shift; bends,
reaches, and performs repetitive motion.
SAFETY AND ONBOARDING NOTE
We provide basic OSHA safety orientation, PPE, and on-the-job training before you
work independently. As a non-exempt hourly role, overtime is paid at 1.5x for hours
over 40 per week. This is general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
Overtime: 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 per week
To apply, email __ with your resume or a short note.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Production Operator / Line Worker (Entry-Level)
For an entry-level line role: operate machinery, assemble or package, and basic quality checks. Lower skill level than a technician, with paid training and no experience required.
Production Operator / Line Worker Job Description (Entry-Level)
PRODUCTION OPERATOR / LINE WORKER JOB DESCRIPTION (ENTRY-LEVEL)
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Line / Production Supervisor
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Schedule: [day / night / rotating shift]
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Production Operator (Line Worker) to operate and monitor
machinery, assemble or package products, and keep the line running. This is an
entry-level role with paid training. No experience required, just reliability and
a willingness to learn and work safely on a production line.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Operate and monitor production machinery
•Assemble, package, or process products on the line
•Perform basic quality checks
•Load and unload materials and product
•Keep the line and work area clean
•Follow all safety procedures and wear PPE
•Meet production and quality targets
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•No experience required; paid training provided
•High school diploma or equivalent preferred
•Reliable, punctual, and safety-minded
•Able to follow instructions and work at a steady pace
•Available for [shift / overtime / weekend] work
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation, include:
routinely lifts and moves up to [40] lbs; stands for most of the shift; performs
repetitive motion at a steady pace.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
Overtime: 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 per week
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA, Safety, and Physical Requirements
This is the part the generic templates skip, and it is the part that matters most for a production technician hire: the FLSA classification, a structured safety section, ADA-aware physical requirements, and the shift and pay details. Get these right and your posting attracts the right candidates and protects your business.
FLSA: a production technician is non-exempt and owed overtime
This is the biggest content gap in every competing template, and it is simple but important. A production technician is a blue-collar production worker, and federal rules are explicit that non-management employees in production and similar occupations are entitled to minimum wage and overtime no matter how highly paid they are, and cannot be treated as exempt. The administrative exemption does not apply, because a technician performs a production function and follows SOPs, work instructions, and batch records rather than exercising independent judgment on matters of significance. So the role is non-exempt and hourly, with overtime owed at one and a half times the regular rate over 40 hours a week. Paying a salary does not change this. This is general information, not legal advice.
OSHA safety: structure it, do not just say follow safety
Generic templates say follow safety protocols and stop there. A real production safety section names the actual requirements: OSHA 10 or 30 training where appropriate, lockout/tagout for servicing and maintaining equipment under 29 CFR 1910.147, hazard communication and Safety Data Sheets for chemicals, and the specific PPE the role requires. In food, pharma, and electronics settings, layer on GMP, cleanroom, or ESD controls. Stating the safety requirements clearly attracts candidates who take safety seriously and signals that the employer runs a professional operation. This is general information, not legal advice.
Physical requirements: write them the ADA-aware way
Production work is physical, and the requirements belong in the posting, but the wording matters. Frame them as essential functions performed with or without reasonable accommodation, and use specific, measurable language: routinely lifts and moves up to 50 lbs rather than must be in good physical condition, and remains standing for approximately 80 percent of the shift rather than must be able to stand all day. Note real work-environment factors such as noise requiring hearing protection, temperature, or moving machinery. Specific, function-based wording is both more useful to candidates and lower-risk than vague physical demands. This is general information, not legal advice.
Shifts and pay transparency: state them clearly
Production runs in shifts, so name the schedule up front, whether day, night, rotating, or weekend, along with any shift differential, since this is one of the first things a candidate screens on. On pay, a growing number of states now require a good-faith salary or hourly range in job postings, with thresholds that reach small manufacturers, including some that cover employers with as few as five employees. Open-ended phrasing like up to a figure or a number and up does not satisfy these laws. Post a genuine minimum-to-maximum hourly range and check your state's rule before publishing. This is general information, not legal advice.
Non-Exempt: The FLSA Gap Generic Templates Miss
A production technician performs a production function following procedures, so under the DOL blue-collar rule (Fact Sheet #17I) the role is non-exempt no matter how highly paid, and the administrative exemption does not apply. The role is hourly, with overtime owed at 1.5x the regular rate over 40 hours a week. No competitor template states this.
Production technician roles start from mechanical aptitude, reliability, and the ability to follow procedures and safety rules, with experience and certifications as a plus rather than a requirement. Scale the requirements to the industry and level.
Requirement
What to look for
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
Production or manufacturing experience a plus; training provided
Skills
Mechanical aptitude, following SOPs, basic math and measurement
Physical
Able to stand, lift around 50 lbs, and perform repetitive motion
Safety
Willingness to complete OSHA, lockout/tagout, and PPE training
Certification
OSHA 10/30, GMP, IPC, forklift, or MSSC CPT a plus by industry
Keep every requirement job-related, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Production Technician Pay
Production technicians are paid an hourly wage, with pay varying by industry, region, and experience. Use government data for context, then benchmark to your industry and market.
Production Group Median $45,960 (BLS)
The broad production occupations group reported a median annual wage of $45,960 as of May 2024, below the median for all occupations of $49,500 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). For the specific title, compensation surveys put average production technician pay near $40,000 a year, about $19 an hour, ranging from the mid-$30,000s to around $51,000 for top earners.
Pay tends to run higher in pharmaceutical and cleanroom settings because of cGMP requirements, and in electronics, and lower in general and food production. Shift differentials and overtime add to base pay. Set a competitive hourly range for your industry and market, post it where your state requires a range, and budget for overtime. Manufacturing has faced persistent hiring challenges, so a clear, competitive, transparent range helps a small manufacturer compete for reliable technicians.
Hiring for a Small Manufacturer
A large plant hires production technicians into a structured operation with shifts, supervisors, and dedicated HR. A small manufacturer of 5 to 50 people has none of that: the owner writes the posting, the technician wears several hats, and the overtime and safety compliance still applies in full. Here is how to write it for that reality. If this is among your first hires, the guide to hiring your first employee covers the surrounding steps.
Most production technician templates are written for big plants, not a small shop
The published templates are generic, enterprise-flavored, and assume a structured plant with shifts, supervisors, and HR. A small manufacturer of 5 to 20 people making a first or second production hire has none of that. The owner writes the posting, the new technician wears several hats, and onboarding happens between everything else. The Small Manufacturer template above is written for exactly that: a cross-functional role, no prior experience required, on-the-job training, and the owner as direct supervisor, rather than a large-plant job description copied down to your size.
A production technician is non-exempt and owed overtime, full stop
This is the part the generic templates skip, and getting it wrong is costly. A production technician performs a production function following procedures, which makes the role non-exempt under federal rules, so the worker is hourly and owed overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for any hours over 40 in a week. The administrative exemption does not apply, because the role does not involve independent judgment on matters of significance, and paying a flat salary does not avoid the overtime obligation. Since production often runs overtime and extra shifts during busy periods, track hours and budget for overtime from the start. This is general information, not legal advice.
The safety obligations apply even to a small manufacturer
A small shop does not get a pass on OSHA. If a technician services or maintains equipment, lockout/tagout applies; if the role uses chemicals, hazard communication and Safety Data Sheets apply; and the right PPE must be provided. Food, pharma, and electronics work layer on GMP, cleanroom, or ESD requirements. The compliance does not scale down with the size of the operation. The practical advantage for a small employer is that the training and safety program is simpler to set up once and keep current with a structured onboarding process, which is exactly what a new technician needs before working independently.
Onboarding a production technician is mostly safety, training, and getting them productive
Production roles are hands-on and safety-critical, and small manufacturers hire steadily as they grow, so a fast, repeatable onboarding pays off. Beyond the signed offer, the I-9, and tax forms, a new technician needs safety orientation, PPE, lockout/tagout and equipment training, and a clear path to running the process safely on their own. FirstHR fits this people side for a small manufacturer: send the offer for e-signature, store signed safety acknowledgments and the handbook, run a structured onboarding and safety-training workflow, and track multiple technicians, shifts, and certifications in one place. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a manufacturing-execution, EHS, or safety-management system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer letter and a safety-first onboarding, which matters more for a production technician than most roles because the work is hands-on and safety-critical. Beyond the signed offer, Form I-9, and tax forms, a new technician needs safety orientation and equipment training, alongside the usual new hire paperwork.
Send the offer
Confirm the hourly rate, shift, and start date in writing. An offer letter template makes this fast for an hourly production hire.
Safety and PPE
Run OSHA safety orientation, issue PPE, and train on lockout/tagout and equipment before independent work.
Train and sign off
Document safety and equipment training and collect signed acknowledgments, then store the records.
Track the team
Keep training records, certifications, and shift details organized, which matters as you hire more technicians.
A structured first weeks gets a technician running equipment safely on their own, so an onboarding template helps even for an hourly role. Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step. FirstHR connects the offer, signed paperwork, e-signatures, safety acknowledgments, training records, and onboarding workflow in one place so a small manufacturer can manage the full process, including tracking multiple technicians and shifts, from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a manufacturing-execution, EHS, or safety system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A production technician operates, maintains, and troubleshoots manufacturing equipment, a step above an entry-level operator in skill and responsibility.
Use the template that matches the industry: standard, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, small manufacturer, or entry-level operator.
A production technician is a blue-collar role that is always non-exempt and owed overtime; the administrative exemption does not apply.
Structure the safety section: OSHA 10/30, lockout/tagout, hazard communication, PPE, plus GMP, cleanroom, or ESD by industry.
Write physical requirements as essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation, using specific weights and percentages.
The broad production group reports a median near $45,960; the specific title averages about $40,000, roughly $19 an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a production technician do?
A production technician operates, monitors, and maintains the equipment that manufactures a company's products. Day to day, that means running equipment to specification, following standard operating procedures and work instructions, performing quality checks and documenting results, carrying out basic preventive maintenance and troubleshooting, and keeping accurate production records. The role is hands-on and safety-focused, following PPE, lockout/tagout, and other safety procedures. The specifics vary by industry: a food production technician follows GMP and HACCP, a pharmaceutical technician works under cGMP in a cleanroom, and an electronics technician assembles and solders to IPC standards. Across all of them, the technician keeps production running safely, on spec, and on schedule, a step above an entry-level line operator in skill and troubleshooting responsibility.
What is the difference between a production technician and a production operator?
They overlap, but the technician role carries more skill and responsibility. A production operator or line worker is typically an entry-level role focused on operating and monitoring machinery, assembling or packaging products, and basic quality checks, often with no prior experience required. A production technician usually does everything an operator does plus equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, more detailed quality work, and following more complex procedures, and often needs some mechanical aptitude or experience. In practice the titles are sometimes used interchangeably at small companies, so the best approach is to match the title to the actual duties and skill level you need, and to pay accordingly. Both roles are non-exempt and hourly. This page includes templates for both. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a production technician exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A production technician is non-exempt and entitled to overtime. Federal labor rules are explicit that non-management employees in production and similar occupations are entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay no matter how highly paid they are, and cannot be classified as exempt. The administrative exemption does not apply, because a production technician performs a production function and follows standard operating procedures, work instructions, and batch records, rather than exercising discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance, which the exemption requires. So a production technician is a non-exempt, hourly employee owed overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Paying a salary does not make the role exempt, since the work itself, not the pay method, determines the classification. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a production technician make?
Production technicians are paid an hourly wage, with pay varying by industry, region, and experience. The broad production occupations group reported a median annual wage of about $45,960 as of May 2024, below the median for all occupations. For the specific production technician title, compensation surveys and job postings put average pay around $40,000 a year, roughly $19 an hour, with a typical range from the mid-$30,000s to around $51,000 for top earners. Pay tends to run higher in pharmaceutical and cleanroom settings because of cGMP requirements, and in electronics, and lower in general and food production. Shift differentials and overtime add to base pay. For a posting, benchmark to your industry and local market, set a competitive hourly range, and post it where your state requires a range. This is general information, not legal advice.
What safety training does a production technician need?
It depends on the industry, but most production technicians need general safety training plus role-specific requirements. Common across manufacturing are OSHA 10 or 30 training, lockout/tagout under 29 CFR 1910.147 for anyone who services or maintains equipment, hazard communication and Safety Data Sheets for chemicals, and the appropriate PPE for the role. Industry-specific layers include Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP in food production, current Good Manufacturing Practices and cleanroom procedures in pharmaceuticals, and electrostatic discharge controls and IPC workmanship standards in electronics. Some employers also value a forklift certification or the MSSC Certified Production Technician credential. State the required and preferred training in the posting so candidates understand the role is safety-critical. Confirm which standards apply to your operation with OSHA resources. This is general information, not legal advice.
How should I write the physical requirements for a production technician?
Write them as essential functions performed with or without reasonable accommodation, using specific and measurable language. Instead of vague phrasing like must be in good physical condition, state the real demands: routinely lifts and moves up to a specific weight such as 50 pounds, remains in a standing position for approximately a percentage of the shift, and bends, reaches, and performs repetitive motion. Note the actual work environment, such as noise requiring hearing protection, temperature variation, or moving machinery. This approach is both more useful to candidates, who can judge whether they can do the job, and lower-risk than vague physical demands that could raise disability discrimination concerns. The goal is to describe the job accurately, not to screen people out informally. This is general information, not legal advice.
When should a small manufacturer hire a production technician?
A small manufacturer should hire a production technician when production demand consistently exceeds what the current team, often the founder and a couple of helpers, can handle, or when the work has grown complex enough to need someone dedicated to running and maintaining equipment. The first production hire is a meaningful step, because it shifts the owner from doing all the production work to managing a process and a person. The Small Manufacturer template on this page is built for exactly this moment: a cross-functional, wear-many-hats role with on-the-job training, no prior experience required, and the owner as direct supervisor. Hiring slightly ahead of demand, with a clear job description and a structured onboarding, helps a growing manufacturer avoid the bottleneck of the owner being the only one who can run production. This is general guidance, not a strict rule.
What should a production technician job description include?
A strong production technician job description names the industry up front, whether general, food, pharmaceutical, electronics, or a small-manufacturer first hire, and includes a short company summary, a role summary that makes the hands-on production focus clear, and responsibilities grouped into running the equipment, quality and records, maintenance and troubleshooting, and safety. The parts that add the most value and that generic templates skip are the non-exempt and overtime classification, a structured safety section naming OSHA, lockout/tagout, and any GMP or ESD requirements, ADA-aware physical requirements written as essential functions, and the shift and schedule. State an hourly pay range where your state requires it. For a small manufacturer, the first-hire version with on-the-job training fits best. Close with an equal opportunity statement and clear apply instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
