What does an extrusion operator do?
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.
Extrusion operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real extrusion operator resumes:
- Manage the levels of chemicals to make sure process run correctly for making Styrofoam.
- Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
- Extrude automotive parts according to ISO standards.
- Start operations by inserting data into CNC control units.
- Set up and operate equipment to produce food contact grade PVC plastic film.
- Mount rolls of base material on machine spindles for automatic feed through machines.
- Operate heavy duty lathes, boring machines and mills, planers, shapers and grinders.
- Assist in the setup of arbors with the use of spacers, cutters and shims.
- Operate and tend machines to prepare and make PVC or consumer products for storage or shipment.
- Train various employees to operate and troubleshoot various manual and automate machines, furthering company growth.
- Perform root cause and corrective action analysis (CAPA) for manufacturing satisfying ISO, FDAand internal quality system requirements.
- Figure setups for slitter arbors and clean tooling, sharpen rotary knives, and perform daily functions on a slitter.
- Use micrometers and calipers to specifications.
- Perform minor maintenance on slitters and associate equipment.
- Operate slitters to cut plastic rolls to customer specifications
Extrusion operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Extrusion Operators are proficient in Extrusion, Hand Tools, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Extrusion Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Extrusion, 21%
Operated plastics extrusion machine Produced office equipment to exact specifications Inspected and packaged product for shipping Basic machine maintenance when necessary
- Hand Tools, 6%
Clean and maintain extruding and forming machines using hand tools, move controls to activate and adjust extruding and forming machines.
- Math, 5%
Produced and maintained accurate documentation for production reports using math and computer skills.
- Quality Checks, 5%
Communicated with operators to package and quality check every roll and documented correctly.
- Extrusion Machine, 4%
Operated an automatic extrusion machine to produce electrical automotive wire.
- Safety Procedures, 4%
Reviewed company compliance with all applicable environmental and safety procedures.
Most extrusion operators use their skills in "extrusion," "hand tools," and "math" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential extrusion operator responsibilities here:
Computer skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an extrusion operator to have is computer skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." Extrusion operators often use computer skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used math, writing an computer skills. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of extrusion operators is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday extrusion operator duties, as "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "light mechanical maintenence on machines inspect finished material to insure it complies with quality standards handle non-conforming material"
Physical strength. For certain extrusion operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of an extrusion operator rely on this skill, as "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what extrusion operators do: "performed measurement, quality checks, and tensile strength test on material to ensure proper specifications. "
The three companies that hire the most extrusion operators are:
- Westlake Plastics
19 extrusion operators jobs
- Parker Hannifin14 extrusion operators jobs
- Pactiv13 extrusion operators jobs
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Compare different extrusion operators
Extrusion operator vs. Technical machine operator
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between extrusion operators and technical machine operator. For instance, extrusion operator responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "extrusion machine," "extrusion equipment," and "extruders." Whereas a technical machine operator is skilled in "safety regulations," "cnc," "continuous improvement," and "gmp." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Technical machine operators really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,834. Comparatively, extrusion operators tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $40,020.technical machine operators tend to reach similar levels of education than extrusion operators. In fact, technical machine operators are 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Extrusion operator vs. Lining machine operator
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, extrusion operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "math," "extrusion machine," and "extrusion equipment." Meanwhile, a lining machine operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "assembly line," "safety rules," "cnc," and "gmp." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Lining machine operators earn a lower average salary than extrusion operators. But lining machine operators earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $39,210. Additionally, extrusion operators earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $40,020 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Lining machine operators tend to reach similar levels of education than extrusion operators. In fact, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Extrusion operator vs. Pack machine operator
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, extrusion operators are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "extrusion machine," "extrusion equipment," and "extruders." But a pack machine operator is more likely to have skills like "defective products," "team-oriented environment," "safety rules," and "troubleshoot."
Pack machine operators earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $39,255. Extrusion operators earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $40,020.Most pack machine operators achieve a similar degree level compared to extrusion operators. For example, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Extrusion operator vs. General machine operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between extrusion operators and general machine operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an extrusion operator might have more use for skills like "extrusion," "hand tools," "extrusion machine," and "extrusion equipment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of general machine operators require skills like "cnc," "troubleshoot," "safety regulations," and "assembly line. "
In general, general machine operators earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $35,435. The highest-paying industry for an extrusion operator is the automotive industry.general machine operators reach similar levels of education compared to extrusion operators, in general. The difference is that they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of extrusion operator
Updated January 8, 2025
