Weighers are responsible for determining accurate weight measurements of materials to be sold, processed, or used in some other manner.

JOB DUTIES 

Weighers may:

Set up and operate machines that weigh materials

Warm up electronic scales

Load, unload, or otherwise handle materials before, during, and after weighing

Make sure materials to be weighed are on the scale properly

Move levers, weights, or other controls

Read dials or other indicators to determine weights

Record weights and other information such as identification numbers, names and dates on forms

Call out weights or other information to recording clerks

Mark or label materials with weights or other information

Test and adjust scales periodically

Report malfunctioning scales to scale maintenance

The tools, machines, equipment, and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Weighers may specialize in these areas:

929.687-062 PRODUCTION WEIGHERS weigh specified amounts of materials for production processes. They may also pack weighed material in containers for delivery to processing departments.

299.587-010 PRODUCE WEIGHERS weigh produce selected by customers and mark the price on the bag. They may also pre-pack fruits and vegetables in plastic containers and keep the produce display areas clean, attractive, and well stocked.

920.685-058 FEED WEIGHERS tend machines that fill, weigh, and sew the tops of sacks of stock feed.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Weighers may work alone or with other employees, under the direction of a supervisor.

Weighers may work under a variety of working conditions, indoors or outdoors. Some production weighers may stand their entire shift. Others may be required to sit for long periods. Depending on the industry and the materials involved, Weighers may be exposed to dust, dirt, oil, noise, or vibration. They may work in areas that are extremely hot from the machinery of blast furnaces to sub-zero temperatures in refrigerated areas. When working outside, Weighers are exposed to all types of weather conditions. They minimize hazards by using safety equipment, appropriate dress, and participating in safety training.

Production Weighers generally work a 40-hour week and may work day, evening, or night shifts. Produce and Feed Weighers may work part-time or only during peak summer or harvest seasons.

Weighers may have to buy their uniforms or other work-related apparel.

Some establishments are unionized and may offer or even require membership. Weighers may join unions such as The United Steelworkers of America, The American Federation of Grain Millers, and The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities of a routine nature

• Activities using machines

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow written and spoken instructions

• Use measuring devices accurately

• Use simple arithmetic quickly and accurately

• Keep accurate and readable records

• Work under supervision

• Determine weights without favor to any person or agency

• Perform the same work continuously

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a slab of meat weighs 50 pounds, how many kilograms does it weigh?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Mass is the base quantity used to describe amounts of matter. The more massive an object, the more matter it contains.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining to your supervisor a malfunction that might be occurring in one of the scales.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the most productive way to get your work done which would save your company money.

Produce Weighers may be required to pass a physical examination and hold a health card. 

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer, a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program 

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Experience may be gained through summer or part-time work in businesses that employ Weighers, such as grocery stores, supermarkets, and manufacturing firms.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Weigher employer

internships

volunteer work with a Weigher employer

community service work with an agency

Most Weighers enter the occupation by applying directly to employers. Assistance in finding a job may be available from high school placement offices and local offices of Michigan Works!. Openings may be listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers           

Michigan Works!

You should enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Weighers depend on the industry, employer, geographic location, and extent of unionization. The hourly wage rate of unionized weighers is usually higher than the hourly wage rate of non-unionized weighers.

Nationally, most Weighers had weekly earnings ranging from $250 to $750 in 2001. Their median weekly earnings were $443.  The median weekly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $597 in 2001.

In the automobile industry, Weighers' earnings were between $16.57 and $23.13 per hour in early 2002. Autoworkers also receive a cost-of-living allowance.

Unionized Produce Weighers employed in the Detroit area earned wages ranging from $6.05 to $13.72 per hour (late 2001). In addition to base hourly earnings, most receive periodic lump-sum bonuses.

Weighers of livestock usually earned from $7.00 to $8.50 per hour (mid 2002).

Weighers usually receive shift premiums for the afternoon or midnight shift. Production Weighers may also receive cost-of-living allowances or incentive bonuses in addition to their base pay.

Fringe benefits vary with the kind of business and the length of employment. Permanent, full-time Weighers may receive sick leave; life, health, and disability insurance; and paid vacations and holidays. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. Some businesses provide work clothes.

Advancement depends primarily on experience, ability to supervise, and availability of job openings. Because there are a limited number of openings, few Weighers become supervisors or managers. Inexperienced Weighers in a production plant usually start in entry positions in a labor pool. They may bid on Weigher positions as openings occur, with seniority usually being the deciding factor. Production Weighers may advance to production inspector. Produce Weighers may advance to produce manager.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 81,900 Weighers employed in 2000. Employment of Weighers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. The industry distribution for Weighers looked like this:

Some openings are expected each year as Weighers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

Approximately 3,400 Weighers work in Michigan. The majority of Weighers worked in the manufacturing industry. Others worked for grocery stores, supermarkets, and livestock yards.

Employment of Weighers in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2008. An average of 90 openings is expected annually, all due to replacement of those Workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Technological developments, such as automation, have decreased the need for Weighers. Economic conditions also affect opportunities in this occupation. Many Weighers work for firms where hiring may increase during good economic times and layoffs may occur during poor economic times. 

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development