What Does an Assembly Operator Do?

In a manufacturing setting, an assembly operator is in charge of assembling materials using hands or tools. Their responsibilities include following assembly guidelines, packing items in containers and boxes, operating tools and equipment, and developing strategies to optimize operations. They may also perform regular maintenance checks on machines and equipment to maintain a safe and efficient work environment. Furthermore, it is essential to observe an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating for a structured and smooth workflow.

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Assembly Operator Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real assembly operator resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

Achieve enhancement in shop math: trigonometry, compound angles, and geometry.
Inventory and manage all stock products within a retail warehousing environment utilizing RF scanner and barcode readers to document material.
Handle delicate parts with great dexterity.
Assist in the ISO certification for the company * TQM certify
Meet cycle time goal and adhere to ISO guidelines.
Work in Honda, Chrysler, and Toyota department building door latches.
Assemble automobiles in accordance with HONDA operation standards, quality assurance, and philosophy.
Experience includes operation of punch presses, polyvinyl extrusion equipment, polyvinyl cutters, and the production of brush wafers.
Assemble and troubleshoot several apparatus.
Maintain departmental cleanliness and organization.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of production areas.
Inventory and manage all stock products within a retail warehousing environment utilizing RF scanner and barcode readers to document material.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment in accordance with Moog, EPA, OSHA, and ISO standards and regulations.
Fasten parts together with bolts, screws, speed clips, rivets, or fasteners.
Fasten parts together with bolts, screws, clips, rivets, and other fasteners.

Assembly Operator Job Description

When it comes to understanding what an assembly operator does, you may be wondering, "should I become an assembly operator?" The data included in this section may help you decide. Compared to other jobs, assembly operators have a growth rate described as "decline" at -11% between the years 2018 - 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, the number of assembly operator opportunities that are predicted to open up by 2028 is -203,300.

An assembly operator annual salary averages $31,928, which breaks down to $15.35 an hour. However, assembly operators can earn anywhere from upwards of $26,000 to $38,000 a year. This means that the top-earning assembly operators make $11,000 more than the lowest-earning ones.

It's hard work to become an assembly operator, but even the most dedicated employees consider switching careers from time to time. Whether you're interested in a more challenging position or just looking for a fresh start, we've compiled extensive information on becoming a manufacturing operator, production assembler, production operator, and generator assembler.

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12 Assembly Operator Resume Examples

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Patricia Holmes Assembly Operator Contact Information Grand Rapids, MI (610) 555-5959 pholmes@example.com Skills Quality Standards Particular Production Process Safety Procedures Different Departments Control Panels Production Process Safety Guidelines Quality Checks Production Goals Assembly Line Employment History Assembly Operator 2017 - Present ManpowerGroup Grand Rapids, MI Worked at others numerous Automotives such as Eaton, Affinity, Lear, Peterson Spring and New Industries. Assembled electric trolling motors by using hand tools and air-power tools Selecting parts to be washed Deliver parts to Production Assembly Warehouse work, assembly line, including loading and unloading trucks, palletizing, and cleaning. Production Line Operator 2016 - 2017 ManpowerGroup Grand Rapids, MI Maintain warehouse assembly line production. Worked on assembly line producing pharmaceutical products for hospital use. Received and processed production orders and prepared dry raw materials and mixed liquids required in change can. Document activities as appropriate and perform specified quality checks. Assembly Line Operator 2015 - 2016 ManpowerGroup Grand Rapids, MI Warehouse work, assembly line, including loading and unloading trucks, palletizing, and cleaning. Complied with all of the company's safety procedures and guidelines. Education High School Diploma 2015 - 2015


Christian Torres Assembly Operator Contact Info Birmingham, AL (320) 555-2022 ctorres@example.com Skills Car PartsAutomotive PartsMachine SettingsToyotaAssembly LineDial IndicatorsCNCHand ToolsSPCQuality Checks Employment History Assembly Operator 2019 - Present Sterilite Birmingham, AL Processed full meats off the assembly line. Worked on assembly line sealing the jars and then pack them to be put on truck. Possess a good knowledge of various assembly line stations with working experience. Assembly Leader 2017 - 2019 Sterilite Birmingham, AL Led assembly line tasks: gluing and trimming wicks, packing, applying labels, etc. Perform quality checks to ensure quality specifications are met. Demonstrated equipment operations / work and safety procedures to new employees. Oversee 5th-6th grade group daily activities -Assisted with other grade groups as needed Led and directed team members on effective methods, operations and procedures. Worked a part of assembly line applying parts to tractors to reach goal. Press Machine Operator 2015 - 2017 Sterilite Birmingham, AL Operated and trim parts coming off plastic injection machinery Inspect and box all parts onto skids Keep working area safe and clean Packed out plastic parts off a molding press machine. Trained individuals to operate machines, quality and assembly lines. Education High School Diploma 2015 - 2015


Susan Howard Assembly Operator Milwaukee, WI (870) 555-4701 showard@example.com Experience Assembly Operator2013 - Present ManpowerGroup•Milwaukee, WI Consolidated Diesel Rocky Mount, NC Assembly Line Technician Installed Parts on Engines Trim and clean parts to company specifications. Operate machinery Inspect first part Maintain machinery to keep it running properly Assemble finished products Manufacturing Assembler2009 - 2013 Caterpillar•Decatur, IL Mastered half of assembly line while assisting fellow co-workers. Worked assembly line building skid steer loaders. Used hand tools to assemble electrical panels. Oversee clean-up detail of assembly line for 17 men. Worked in a paint booth with all kinds of assembly line speeds. Worked Front Wheel Assembly line - Stations 10, 30, 100, 130 and 140. Assembler & Quality Control2002 - 2009 Aerotek•Phoenix, AZ Assemble wire harnesses Maintain quality standards set by customer Increase efficiency where ever possible Package product to be sent out customer Assisted a assembly line with putting together parts for x-ray machines piece by piece. Job included manufacturing of PCBs, soldering (pin through and surface mount) and testing. Skills Safety ProceduresPart NumbersISOAssembly LineElectrical AssemblySafety StandardsPPETest ResultsCustomer ServiceElectronic Systems Education High School Diploma 2002 - 2002

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Assembly Operator Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 10% of Assembly Operators are proficient in Hand Tools, Quality Checks, and Basic Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Dexterity, and Math skills.

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

Hand Tools, 10%
Operated automatic compression/sonic weld machines and used various hand tools to assemble various components into finished product.
Quality Checks, 8%
Performed quality checks using calibrated measurement devices and visual inspection as required on the Quality Inspection Plan.
Basic Math, 8%
Complete basic mathematical calculations and follow standard work instructions.
Quality Standards, 7%
Maintain quality standards by approving material at in-process inspection for all products verify conformance to specified dimensions.
Math, 5%
Solve math equations quickly and accurately without calculator.
Troubleshoot, 5%
Assemble and build quality air conditioning units Operate and troubleshoot equipment effectively 5s and housekeeping Inventory management

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"hand tools," "quality checks," and "basic math" aren't the only skills we found assembly operators list on their resumes. In fact, there's a whole list of assembly operator responsibilities that we found, including:

Arguably the most important personality trait for an assembly operator to have happens to be color vision. An example from a resume said this about the skill, "assemblers and fabricators who make electrical and electronic products must distinguish different colors, because the wires they often work with are color coded." Additionally, other resumes have pointed out that assembly operators can use color vision to "detect and report defective material and faculty operations to proper supervision. "

Another commonly found skill for being able to perform assembly operator duties is the following: dexterity. According to a assembly operator resume, "assemblers and fabricators should have a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination, as they must grasp, manipulate, or assemble parts and components that are often very small." Check out this example of how assembly operators use dexterity: "specialized in spot welding forklift operator press operator for product components"

Math skills is also an important skill for assembly operators to have. This example of how assembly operators use this skill comes from a assembly operator resume, "assemblers and fabricators must know basic math and be able to use computers, because the manufacturing process continues to advance technologically." Read this excerpt from a resume to understand how vital it is to their everyday roles and responsibilities, "achieved enhancement in shop math: trigonometry, compound angles, and geometry. "

In order for certain assembly operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires the skill "mechanical skills." According to an assembly operator resume, "modern production systems require assemblers and fabricators to use programmable motion-control devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." As an example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies: "ensured that all parts meet all company and customer quality standards, through both visual and mechanical inspection. "

Yet another important skill that an assembly operator must demonstrate is "physical strength." Assemblers and fabricators must be strong enough to lift heavy components or pieces of machinery This is clearly demonstrated in this example from an assembly operator who stated: "participated in iso 9000 activities, yearly physical inventory, and assisted with daily material distribution. "

While "technical skills" is listed last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to assembly operator responsibilities. The skill is described by this resume snippet, "assemblers and fabricators must understand technical manuals, blueprints, and schematics for a wide range of products and machines in order to manufacture the final product properly." Here is an example of how this skill is used, "trained incoming hires in preparation for on site work, assuring satisfactory technical capabilities and comprehension of standard company safety regulations. "

See the full list of assembly operator skills.

After discovering the most helpful skills, we moved onto what kind of education might be helpful in becoming an assembly operator. We found that 19.2% of assembly operators have graduated with a bachelor's degree and 1.6% of people in this position have earned their master's degrees. While some assembly operators have a college degree, you may find it's also true that generally it's possible to be successful in this career with only a high school degree. In fact, our research shows that one out of every two assembly operators were not college graduates.

Those assembly operators who do attend college, typically earn either business degrees or general studies degrees. Less commonly earned degrees for assembly operators include electrical engineering degrees or criminal justice degrees.

When you're ready to become an assembly operator, you might wonder which companies hire assembly operators. According to our research through assembly operator resumes, assembly operators are mostly hired by TPI, TE Connectivity Networks�Inc, and Pentair. Now is a good time to apply as TPI has 77 assembly operators job openings, and there are 57 at TE Connectivity Networks�Inc and 26 at Pentair.

If you're interested in companies where assembly operators make the most money, you'll want to apply for positions at North American Stainless, Infinera, and BD. We found that at North American Stainless, the average assembly operator salary is $39,839. Whereas at Infinera, assembly operators earn roughly $39,659. And at BD, they make an average salary of $38,210.

View more details on assembly operator salaries across the United States.

We also looked into companies who hire assembly operators from the top 100 educational institutions in the U.S. The top three companies that hire the most from these institutions include General Motors, Metro Chrysler Centre, and FedEx.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious assembly operators are:

TPI77 Assembly Operators Jobs
TE Connectivity Networks�Inc57 Assembly Operators Jobs
Pentair26 Assembly Operators Jobs

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What Manufacturing Operators Do

A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals. Furthermore, it is vital to comply with the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.

In this section, we compare the average assembly operator annual salary with that of a manufacturing operator. Typically, manufacturing operators earn a $2,529 higher salary than assembly operators earn annually.

While their salaries may differ, one common ground between assembly operators and manufacturing operators are a few of the skills required in each craft. In both careers, employees bring forth skills like hand tools, quality checks, and basic math.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. An assembly operator responsibility is more likely to require skills like "troubleshoot," "assembly operations," "continuous improvement," and "assembly process." Whereas a manufacturing operator requires skills like "safety rules," "good communication," "ppe," and "osha." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

Manufacturing operators tend to make the most money in the pharmaceutical industry by averaging a salary of $37,500. In contrast, assembly operators make the biggest average salary of $34,880 in the automotive industry.

On average, manufacturing operators reach similar levels of education than assembly operators. Manufacturing operators are 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of a Production Assembler?

An assembler is responsible for the arrangement of multiple parts to create an entirely new component, following the client's specifications or blueprint instructions. Assemblers must be able to interpret schematics well, as well as being able to operate mechanical equipment and hand tools to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the job. They should also monitor inventories and check the adequacy of supplies, verify the correct quantity of components, and inform the management of any needed assistance. An assembler must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to perform tasks under certain conditions.

The next role we're going to look at is the production assembler profession. Typically, this position earns a lower pay. In fact, they earn a $317 lower salary than assembly operators per year.

A similarity between the two careers of assembly operators and production assemblers are a few of the skills associated with both roles. We used resumes from both professions to find that both use skills like "hand tools," "quality checks," and "quality standards. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, several resumes showed us that assembly operator responsibilities requires skills like "basic math," "math," "continuous improvement," and "manual dexterity." But a production assembler might use skills, such as, "part numbers," "production assembly," "product quality," and "mechanical assembly."

On average, production assemblers earn a lower salary than assembly operators. There are industries that support higher salaries in each profession respectively. Interestingly enough, production assemblers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $35,037. Whereas, assembly operators have higher paychecks in the automotive industry where they earn an average of $34,880.

In general, production assemblers study at similar levels of education than assembly operators. They're 1.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

How a Production Operator Compares

A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use. Should there be any issues or concerns regarding safety, it is essential to notify a supervisor right away.

Let's now take a look at the production operator profession. On average, these workers make higher salaries than assembly operators with a $3,257 difference per year.

By looking over several assembly operators and production operators resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "hand tools," "quality checks," and "basic math." But beyond that the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from assembly operator resumes include skills like "troubleshoot," "assembly operations," "continuous improvement," and "assembly process," whereas a production operator might be skilled in "safety rules," "customer service," "data entry," and "work ethic. "

Additionally, production operators earn a higher salary in the manufacturing industry compared to other industries. In this industry, they receive an average salary of $37,865. Additionally, assembly operators earn an average salary of $34,880 in the automotive industry.

Production operators typically study at similar levels compared with assembly operators. For example, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a Generator Assembler

The duties and responsibilities of a generator assembler may differ based on the industry they work in, but the most common role they perform is assembling actuators for boilers. They may also be required to inspect equipment and troubleshoot machinery. They are generally expected to work alongside other operators and supervisors and to maintain effective communication with all departments in their firm.

Generator assemblers tend to earn a lower pay than assembly operators by about $3,568 per year.

According to resumes from both assembly operators and generator assemblers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "hand tools," "quality checks," and "quality standards. "

While some skills are shared by these professions, there are some differences to note. "basic math," "math," "troubleshoot," and "assembly line" are skills that have shown up on assembly operators resumes. Additionally, generator assembler uses skills like air tools, eye coordination, hvac, and engineering drawings on their resumes.

Generator assemblers earn a higher salary in the automotive industry with an average of $33,471. Whereas, assembly operators earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.

In general, generator assemblers reach similar levels of education when compared to assembly operators resumes. Generator assemblers are 0.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Updated October 2, 2020