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What does an assembly associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
What does an assembly associate do

In manufacturing facilities, an assembly associate is responsible for assembling product components according to guidelines and diagrams. Their daily tasks often include preparing and processing products, operating machines, maintaining records, and adhering to schedules and production goals. They are also responsible for attending regular meetings and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas, discarding trash properly. Moreover, as an assembly associate, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers and adhere to the company's safety guidelines and policies.

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Assembly associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real assembly associate resumes:

  • Inventory and manage all stock products within a retail warehousing environment utilizing RF scanner and barcode readers to document material.
  • Follow OSHA and ISO standards.
  • Work with supervisors, technicians, and engineers to fix problems in systems, vehicles, and troubleshoot.
  • Inventory and manage all stock products within a retail warehousing environment utilizing RF scanner and barcode readers to document material.
  • Experience brazing, welding, operating a brake press and tow motor as well as working with galvanize steel.
  • Perform complete assembly of custom PLC controller and electrical panels.
  • Operate machine to cut and bend resistors, capacitors and diodes to mill spec, check samples with micrometer.
  • Assemble electronic components like resistors, capacitors, IC, and diodes.surface mount and through hole parts through hand soldering .. and inspection
  • Work for staffing agency assembling boilers and brazing copper assemblies
  • Perform system initialization and PLC program debugging.

Assembly associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Assembly Associates are proficient in Hand Tools, Math, and Basic Math.

We break down the percentage of Assembly Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Hand Tools, 16%

    Read schematics and blueprints to assemble finished products by using hand tools or machines to fasten, adjust or assemble components.

  • Math, 11%

    Possess fundamental math skills and the ability to use a microscope for extended periods of time.

  • Basic Math, 7%

    Complete basic mathematical calculations and follow standard work instructions.

  • Computer System, 7%

    Worked on computer systems * Soldered and wired PC Boards

  • Electronic Components, 5%

    Assembled electronic components in the making of transformers and transistors.

  • Assembly Machines, 4%

    Operated various assembly machines/equipment to produce various auto part components.

Common skills that an assembly associate uses to do their job include "hand tools," "math," and "basic math." You can find details on the most important assembly associate responsibilities below.

See the full list of assembly associate skills

The three companies that hire the most assembly associates are:

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Compare different assembly associates

Assembly associate vs. Manufacturing team member

Manufacturing team members are employees who are part of the group or department that fulfills the manufacturing need of the company or plant. They are trained workers who are familiar with the needs of the organization. They may handle machines or may also be assigned to work on their own using manual tools or their own hands, especially if such activities are not possible to do with a machine. Manufacturing team members work within manufacturing deadlines and ensure that products are made within the agreed timeline.

If we compare the average assembly associate annual salary with that of a manufacturing team member, we find that manufacturing team members typically earn a $1,774 higher salary than assembly associates make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both assembly associate and manufacturing team member positions are skilled in math, basic math, and computer system.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an assembly associate are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "electronic components," "assembly machines," and "dexterity." On the other hand, a job as a manufacturing team member requires skills like "customer service," "guest service," "safety standards," and "windows." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Manufacturing team members tend to make the most money working in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $38,845. In contrast, assembly associates make the biggest average salary, $34,416, in the automotive industry.On average, manufacturing team members reach similar levels of education than assembly associates. Manufacturing team members are 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Assembly associate vs. Production team member

A production team member is responsible for performing duties in manufacturing and industrial processes, conducting quality check procedures for the outputs, and inspecting the efficiency of items before distribution. Production team members operate various equipment and machinery, requiring them to ensure that the equipment works in the best state to avoid potential hazards and delay in operations. They also maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the production area, escalate any defects and malfunctioning components, and coordinating with the whole team to reach production goals and objectives.

Production team member positions earn lower pay than assembly associate roles. They earn a $466 lower salary than assembly associates per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both assembly associates and production team members have skills such as "hand tools," "math," and "basic math. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, assembly associate responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "computer system," "electronic components," "assembly machines," and "dexterity." Meanwhile, a production team member has duties that require skills in areas such as "strong work ethic," "customer service," "safety standards," and "ladders." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, production team members earn a lower salary than assembly associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, production team members earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $36,333. Whereas assembly associates have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $34,416.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Production team members tend to reach similar levels of education than assembly associates. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assembly associate vs. Support team member

A support team member is responsible for assisting and connecting with the whole department group in meeting the company's goals and exceeding performance expectations. Support team members' duties generally include performing administrative tasks, familiarizing and adhering to the company's policies and procedures, providing recommendations for improving customer's experience, developing strategies to increase the company's revenue and profitability, and maintaining a positive work ethic. A support team member needs to have a strong organization and time-management skills to support daily operations and do extra tasks as needed.

On average scale, support team members bring in higher salaries than assembly associates. In fact, they earn a $165 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on assembly associates and support team members resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "math," "basic math," and "computer system.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, assembly associates are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "electronic components," "assembly machines," and "safety procedures." But a support team member is more likely to have skills like "safety standards," "manual dexterity," "food safety," and "strong work ethic."

Support team members make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $34,517. On the other hand, assembly associates are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $34,416.support team members typically earn similar educational levels compared to assembly associates. Specifically, they're 4.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assembly associate vs. Manufacturing assembler

A manufacturing assembler is primarily responsible for assembling products according to technical guidelines and schematics, preparing them for public releases. Their responsibilities revolve around adhering to the directives of managers and supervisors, operating tools and devices, coordinating with quality-control officers and other manufacturing staff, and performing quick and efficient repairs on any materials or products. They must also ensure the cleanliness of their workspaces, keeping it free from any obstructions. Furthermore, as a manufacturing assembler, it is essential to uphold the company's safety policies and regulations.

Manufacturing assemblers typically earn lower pay than assembly associates. On average, manufacturing assemblers earn a $851 lower salary per year.According to resumes from assembly associates and manufacturing assemblers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "hand tools," "math," and "basic math. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "computer system," "electronic components," "assembly machines," and "pallets" are skills that commonly show up on assembly associate resumes. On the other hand, manufacturing assemblers use skills like assembly operations, assembly line, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing on their resumes.manufacturing assemblers enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $32,563. For comparison, assembly associates earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.In general, manufacturing assemblers hold similar degree levels compared to assembly associates. Manufacturing assemblers are 0.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of assembly associate

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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