Factory line worker vs general machine operator

The differences between factory line workers and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general machine operator has an average salary of $32,414, which is higher than the $28,187 average annual salary of a factory line worker.

The top three skills for a factory line worker include safety procedures, assembly line production and factory line. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Factory line worker vs general machine operator overview

	Factory Line Worker	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$28,187	$32,414
Hourly rate	$13.55	$15.58
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	98,233	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	-	-

Factory line worker vs general machine operator salary

Factory line workers and general machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Factory Line Worker	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$28,187	$32,414
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $36,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	-	Wisconsin
Best paying company	-	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between factory line worker and general machine operator education

There are a few differences between a factory line worker and a general machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Factory Line Worker	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Factory line worker vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between factory line workers' and general machine operators' demographics:

	Factory Line Worker	General Machine Operator
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 5.6% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	5%

Differences between factory line worker and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Factory line worker example responsibilities.

Operate RF scanning equipment to account and inventory manufacture products.
Preform require daily preventative maintenance checks on forklifts and motorize dollies.

General machine operator example responsibilities.

Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Factory line worker vs general machine operator skills

Common factory line worker skills

Safety Procedures, 27%
Assembly Line Production, 27%
Factory Line, 25%
Quality Standards, 5%
Fast Past, 4%
Unload Trucks, 4%

Common general machine operator skills

Math, 12%
CNC, 10%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Troubleshoot, 9%
Production Process, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%

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Factory Line Worker vs General Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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