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Plastic products assembler

Also called plastics assembler, plastic parts assembler, plastics process worker

Plastic products assemblers fit and fasten parts and finished plastic products according to strictly-defined procedures. Plastic products assemblers may also cut and shape plastic parts using hand, power, and machine tools.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects30 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.AssemblersWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,200 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · AssemblersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational7 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.AssemblersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Assemblers not elsewhere classified · ILO

What you'd do

Assemblers not elsewhere classified · ILO
  • Assembling component parts and positioning, aligning and fastening units to assemblies, subassemblies or frames using hand or power tools, soldering and micro-welding equipment
  • Reviewing work orders, specifications, diagrams and drawings to determine materials needed and assembly instructions
  • Recording production and operational data on specified forms
  • Inspecting and testing components and completed assemblies
  • Rejecting faulty products
Fasten componentsInspect quality of productsUse technical documentationPerform pre-assembly quality checksTroubleshoot+ 7 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines every day
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as assemblers in the EU
1.55m1.68m1.81m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
105,000 new jobs 407,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Assemblers30
All jobs29
Right now
6 of 27 countries report a shortage of assemblers not elsewhere classified, 4 a surplus.
Assemblers not elsewhere classified · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,200 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among plant and machine operators, and assemblers in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of assemblers (EU, 2025)
Degree 9%Vocational 57%General secondary 10%Basic schooling 24%
Fields that teach it
Mechanics and metal trades · Materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood)
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.32 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Recording production and operational data on specified forms0.59
Rejecting faulty products0.32
Reviewing work orders, specifications, diagrams and drawings to determine materials needed and assembly instructions0.28
Inspecting and testing components and completed assemblies0.27
Assembling component parts and positioning, aligning and fastening units to assemblies, subassemblies or frames using hand or power tools, soldering and micro-welding equipment0.14

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for assemblers not elsewhere classified. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).