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The differences between extruder operators and press 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 $34,568 average annual salary of a press operator.
The top three skills for an extruder operator include extrusion, quality checks and hand tools. The most important skills for a press operator are quality standards, press machine, and quality checks.
| Extruder Operator | Press Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,707 | $34,568 |
| Hourly rate | $17.65 | $16.62 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 66,729 | 55,215 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 52% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
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 press operator is responsible for the maintenance of printing machines and other equipment to ensure smooth operations while meeting the clients' needs with the highest quality standards. Press operators duties' include performing troubleshooting, replacing defective machine components, upgrading the systems for efficiency, analyzing blueprints and instructional guides, determining product suitability, and inspecting irregularities before and after the use of press machines. Press operators must have a comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry and the ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.
Extruder operators and press operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Extruder Operator | Press Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,707 | $34,568 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Woburn, MA | Westfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Baker Hughes | ProAmpac |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an extruder operator and a press operator in terms of educational background:
| Extruder Operator | Press Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 52% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between extruder operators' and press operators' demographics:
| Extruder Operator | Press Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% |
| 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, 7.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |