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The differences between extruder operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an extruder operator has an average salary of $36,707, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for an extruder operator include extrusion, quality checks and hand tools. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Extruder Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,707 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $17.65 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 66,729 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 52% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An extruder operator's work is essential to industries such as automobile parts manufacturing and aerospace machine manufacturing. They control the machines that make and shape thermoplastic materials. They may also be responsible for training new staff to work on these machines. They also do maintenance on their tools, ensure products meet specifications, and create reports for their supervisors.
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Extruder operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Extruder Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,707 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Woburn, MA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Baker Hughes | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an extruder operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Extruder Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 52% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between extruder operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Extruder Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 5% |