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The differences between extrusion operators and pack machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an extrusion operator has an average salary of $36,571, which is higher than the $35,157 average annual salary of a pack machine operator.
The top three skills for an extrusion operator include extrusion, hand tools and math. The most important skills for a pack machine operator are basic math, defective products, and team-oriented environment.
| Extrusion Operator | Pack Machine Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,571 | $35,157 |
| Hourly rate | $17.58 | $16.90 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 58,622 | 68,876 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An extrusion operator is also sometimes called a drawing machine operator. They control and monitor machines that shape thermoplastic materials for industries such as aerospace manufacturing, general plastics manufacturing, and automobile and auto parts manufacturing. An extrusion operator sets up and operates a machine following established procedures, guidelines, and customer requirement. Mechanical skills are the very foundation of being an extrusion operator. An extrusion operator also needs physical strength, stamina, computer skills, and critical thinking skills.
A pack machine operator is an employee who is responsible for operating and maintaining packaging machines to prepare industrial and consumer products for storage or shipment. Pack machine operators observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products are up to standards. They monitor the production line to avoid problems such as pile-ups or jams while removing defective products and packaging material. Pack machine operators must also conduct maintenance of the packaging machines on a weekly to monthly basis.
Extrusion operators and pack machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Extrusion Operator | Pack Machine Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,571 | $35,157 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minnetonka, MN | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BD | Reser's Fine Foods |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an extrusion operator and a pack machine operator in terms of educational background:
| Extrusion Operator | Pack Machine Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between extrusion operators' and pack machine operators' demographics:
| Extrusion Operator | Pack Machine Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 5% |