Die setter vs plastic machine operator

The differences between die setters and plastic machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a die setter has an average salary of $37,673, which is higher than the $31,802 average annual salary of a plastic machine operator.

The top three skills for a die setter include die-setter, calipers and overhead cranes. The most important skills for a plastic machine operator are quality checks, CNC, and provide technical assistance.

Die setter vs plastic machine operator overview

	Die Setter	Plastic Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$37,673	$31,802
Hourly rate	$18.11	$15.29
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	3,399	58,108
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Die setter vs plastic machine operator salary

Die setters and plastic machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Die Setter	Plastic Machine Operator
Average salary	$37,673	$31,802
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Woodbury, MN	Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Alaska
Best paying company	German American Chamber of Commerce	Dart Container
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between die setter and plastic machine operator education

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

	Die Setter	Plastic Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Die setter vs plastic machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between die setters' and plastic machine operators' demographics:

	Die Setter	Plastic Machine Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 7.2% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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 Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between die setter and plastic machine operator duties and responsibilities

Die setter example responsibilities.

Manage utilization of LOTO procedures, GMP standards and OSHA safety standards.
Preheat die sections using torches.
Set up and load programs for CNC horizontal punching presses.
Set up and repair machines and run hi-low equipment .!
Clean out grinders, dryers and hoppers for material change over.
Check, record, and enter data into computer for SPC control.

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.

Die setter vs plastic machine operator skills

Common die setter skills

Die-Setter, 16%
Calipers, 10%
Overhead Cranes, 7%
Cranes, 6%
Safety Glasses, 6%
Plastic Injection, 6%

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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Die Setter
Die Setter vs Plastic Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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