What is an assembly worker?

In brief

As Assembly worker In production, you're the one who puts together individual parts into a complete product. You work on the assembly line or production line and make sure everything is tiptop. Without you no final product!

What does an assembly worker do?

An Assembly worker performs final assembly. You ensure that parts come together to form a semi-finished or finished product and monitor quality along the way. Your duties may include:

  • Reading work instructions
  • Checking parts delivered to you
  • Composing and assembling products
  • Correcting discrepancies and identifying errors
  • Assessing and reporting quality
  • Getting products ready for shipping
  • Keeping your workplace clean and safe

So you are not only editing, but also checking and improving.

What competencies should you have?

These are the qualities that make you excel in this role:

Affinity for working on production lines
Accurate and quality-oriented
Flexible and stress resistant
Be able to cooperate and communicate well
An eye for order and cleanliness

What does a workday look like?

You start your day by reviewing work instructions and checking that all parts are present. Then you get to work assembling: from small semi-finished products to complete finished products. During the process you keep a sharp eye on quality. Do you see deviations? Then you correct them immediately or report them to your supervisor. At the end of the day you make sure that everything is left behind neatly and safely, ready for the next shift.

How do you become an Assembly worker?

For a job as an Assembly Clerk, you usually don't need a long education, but you do need an affinity for engineering or manufacturing. You often learn the work in practice. Handy to have in your backpack:

  • An intermediate-level education in manufacturing or engineering (e.g., Assembly Technician, Metalworker or Construction Worker)
  • Training in safety and hygiene (e.g. VCA)
  • Experience with production lines or assembly work is a plus

Salary

The starting salary for an Assembly worker is around €14.40 gross per hour (legal minimum wage as of July 2025). In practice, you will usually earn between €2,200 and €2,600 gross per month, depending on experience, sector and shift premiums.

Diploma

A specific degree is not always required, but an MBO degree in manufacturing, metal or engineering gives you an edge.

Number of hours

Most Assembly workers work full-time (36-40 hours per week). Sometimes part-time options are available.

Working Hours

You often work shifts (morning, afternoon, evening or night). Day shift positions also occur, depending on the employer.

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Your next step?

Assembly worker

Are you ready to transform loose parts into a top quality finished product? Take the step now to a job as an Assembly Worker and show what you can do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to become an Assembly Clerk?

No, often you just learn the trade on the shop floor. Experience with production or engineering does help you get started faster.

Not necessarily. In manufacturing, you learn many tasks by doing. For the more technical assembly positions, a mbo degree in engineering is helpful.

The work can be physical, as you often stand and sometimes have to lift. On the other hand, you work in a team and often have tools, such as lifting or hoisting equipment.

Yes, you can advance to positions such as Operator, Quality Assurance Officer or Team Leader. Many employers offer in-house training or courses.

Not always. At some companies you work day shift, but many manufacturing companies run 2- or 3-shifts. This often provides extra allowances.