Cold header operator vs expanding machine operator

The differences between cold header operators and expanding machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cold header operator has an average salary of $62,538, which is higher than the $33,861 average annual salary of an expanding machine operator.

Cold header operator vs expanding machine operator overview

	Cold Header Operator	Expanding Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$62,538	$33,861
Hourly rate	$30.07	$16.28
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	25,851	57,433
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 63%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

Cold header operator vs expanding machine operator salary

Cold header operators and expanding machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cold Header Operator	Expanding Machine Operator
Average salary	$62,538	$33,861
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $99,000	Between $25,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between cold header operator and expanding machine operator education

There are a few differences between a cold header operator and an expanding machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Cold Header Operator	Expanding Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 63%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Cold header operator vs expanding machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between cold header operators' and expanding machine operators' demographics:

	Cold Header Operator	Expanding Machine Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 98.5% Female, 1.5%	Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between cold header operator and expanding machine operator duties and responsibilities

Cold header operator example responsibilities.

Use measuring equipment (calipers, micrometers, etc . )
Enforce QMS compliance fulfilling BSI regulate certification.
Maintain parts to blue-print specifications using micrometers, vernier calipers and measuring gages.
Enforce QMS compliance fulfilling BSI regulate certification.

Expanding machine operator example responsibilities.

Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Manufacture ammunition from components using a power loading machine.

Cold header operator vs expanding machine operator skills

Common cold header operator skills

Calipers, 62%
Grinders, 19%
SPC, 17%
Formax, 2%

Common expanding machine operator skills

Cold Header Operator vs. similar jobs

Cold Header Operator related careers

Cold Header Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Operator responsibilities

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Cold Header Operator
Cold Header Operator vs Expanding Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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