Baler operator vs mill operator

The differences between baler operators and mill operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a baler operator and a mill operator. Additionally, a mill operator has an average salary of $39,045, which is higher than the $32,608 average annual salary of a baler operator.

The top three skills for a baler operator include perform routine maintenance, routine maintenance and rail cars. The most important skills for a mill operator are CNC, OSHA, and math.

Baler operator vs mill operator overview

	Baler Operator	Mill Operator
Yearly salary	$32,608	$39,045
Hourly rate	$15.68	$18.77
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	53,639	64,574
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Baler operator vs mill operator salary

Baler operators and mill operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Baler Operator	Mill Operator
Average salary	$32,608	$39,045
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $31,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	Schnitzer Steel	Freeport-McMoRan
Best paying industry	Transportation	Construction

Differences between baler operator and mill operator education

There are a few differences between a baler operator and a mill operator in terms of educational background:

	Baler Operator	Mill Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Baler operator vs mill operator demographics

Here are the differences between baler operators' and mill operators' demographics:

	Baler Operator	Mill Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6%	Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between baler operator and mill operator duties and responsibilities

Baler operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Operate forklift to load and unload pallets, run baler to compact the recycled cardboard and stack the bales.
Hand stack pallets, customize based on needs and requirements of customer.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Mill operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Perform all work in respirator and other proper PPE.
Skil at training other machinists on CNC machines in this shop.
Assemble parts, operate CNC lathe and mills and adjust off sets.
Perform QC testing on products, filing paperwork per company and ISO standards.
Rebuild Rotex sifters, fabricate and replace screens, replace shoes and anvils in impact mills.

Baler operator vs mill operator skills

Common baler operator skills

Perform Routine Maintenance, 26%
Routine Maintenance, 17%
Rail Cars, 14%
Baling, 10%
Pallets, 8%
Hand Tools, 6%

Common mill operator skills

CNC, 7%
OSHA, 7%
Math, 6%
Calipers, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
Safety Rules, 5%

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Baler Operator
Baler Operator vs Mill Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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