How To Become An Assembling Machine Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is an assembling machine operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An assembly machine operator makes sure that an assembly line in a factory is working properly by installing and maintaining the machinery. Assembling machine operators set up the assembly line according to specifications and make sure that all machine components are in sequence according to blueprints. Once machines are operational, assembling machine operators monitor their work and take note of any potential mechanical errors that could affect production, stopping the line if something is seriously wrong. They participate in the production process by feeding supplies into a machine and packaging inventory. Assembling machine operators need to have excellent mechanical skills, organizational skills, and an eye for detail in order to succeed.

However, they do not usually need a college degree. In fact, most assembling machine operators only have a high school diploma.

Assembling machine operators usually learn how to operate their machines through on-the-job training. It helps if they have a few years of mechanical experience before that in order to have a basic grasp of factory work. Once they are trained, assembling machine operators can earn an average salary of $24,568 a year.

ScoreAssembling Machine OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.4

Avg. Salary $31,275

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.2

Growth rate -6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.81%

Asian 2.04%

Black or African American 11.20%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 2.42%

White 74.71%

Gender

female 42.63%

male 57.37%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an assembling machine operator

Explore assembling machine operator education requirements

Most common assembling machine operator degrees

High School Diploma

54.5 %

Diploma

17.2 %

Associate

14.3 %

Start to develop specific assembling machine operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Assembly Line	21.29%
Safety Procedures	16.12%
CNC	8.68%
Machine Operation	5.64%
Quality Control Checks	4.44%

Complete relevant assembling machine operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assembling machine operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an assembling machine operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assembling machine operator resumes.

Gain additional assembling machine operator certifications

Assembling machine operator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific assembling machine operator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for assembling machine operators include OSHA Safety Certificate and Forklift Safety and Inspector.

More About Certifications

Research assembling machine operator duties and responsibilities

Used to wearing PPE and other safety gear.
Check parts according to SPC standards and charts.
Load pre-cut graphite stamp dyes into EDM head.
Work in extreme temperature with personal PPE for safety.

Prepare your assembling machine operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assembling machine operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an assembling machine operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable assembling machine operator resume templates

Build a professional assembling machine operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your assembling machine operator resume.

Apply for assembling machine operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an assembling machine operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do assembling machine operators rate their job?

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Assembling machine operator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019

Cons

Short time at work that to day U not working we will call you when we have busy I need a full time job not part time

Pros

It challenging I love challenge to work as a operator it a very challenging job

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019