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Composite technician vs plastic machine operator

The differences between composite technicians and plastic machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a composite technician has an average salary of $33,380, which is higher than the $31,802 average annual salary of a plastic machine operator.

The top three skills for a composite technician include hand tools, calipers and composite materials. The most important skills for a plastic machine operator are quality checks, CNC, and provide technical assistance.

Composite technician vs plastic machine operator overview

Composite TechnicianPlastic Machine Operator
Yearly salary$33,380$31,802
Hourly rate$16.05$15.29
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs24,67458,108
Job satisfaction3.5-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Composite technician vs plastic machine operator salary

Composite technicians and plastic machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Composite TechnicianPlastic Machine Operator
Average salary$33,380$31,802
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $43,000Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityLincoln, NEVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateOregonAlaska
Best paying companyAurora Flight SciencesDart Container
Best paying industryStart-upManufacturing

Differences between composite technician and plastic machine operator education

There are a few differences between a composite technician and a plastic machine operator in terms of educational background:

Composite TechnicianPlastic Machine Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorAviationBusiness
Most common college--

Composite technician vs plastic machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between composite technicians' and plastic machine operators' demographics:

Composite TechnicianPlastic Machine Operator
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 84.0% Female, 16.0%Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 8.4% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between composite technician and plastic machine operator duties and responsibilities

Composite technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage utilization of LOTO procedures, GMP standards and OSHA safety standards.
  • Fabricate parts from stock maintaining alloy, heat treat, surface finish including aluminum, stainless steel and titanium.
  • Complete courses on OSHA requirements.
  • Maintain MSDS and other OSHA relate paperwork.
  • Be aware FOD and other hazards when working with chemicals.
  • Inspect every layer to ensure that they are all FOD free.
  • Show more

Plastic machine operator example responsibilities.

  • Assist in color die changes for use in maintaining plastic extrusion machines.
  • Operate pallet jacks and heavy machinery assembling bolts and nuts into car parts for Honda.
  • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
  • Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

Composite technician vs plastic machine operator skills

Common composite technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Calipers, 9%
  • Composite Materials, 7%
  • Engineering Drawings, 6%
  • Grinders, 4%
  • Autoclaves, 4%
Common plastic machine operator skills
  • Quality Checks, 19%
  • CNC, 12%
  • Provide Technical Assistance, 11%
  • Mold Components, 9%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%

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