Factory worker vs general machine operator

The differences between factory 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 $29,343 average annual salary of a factory worker.

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

Factory worker vs general machine operator overview

	Factory Worker	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$29,343	$32,414
Hourly rate	$14.11	$15.58
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	106,768	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	-	-

Factory worker vs general machine operator salary

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

	Factory Worker	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$29,343	$32,414
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	Washington	Wisconsin
Best paying company	UPS	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	Automotive	Finance

Differences between factory worker and general machine operator education

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

	Factory Worker	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Factory worker vs general machine operator demographics

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

	Factory Worker	General Machine Operator
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.2% 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 worker and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Factory worker example responsibilities.

Assemble automotive windows for Honda and Toyota
Assemble HVAC systems & furnaces.
Perform landscaping, HVAC, assemble tanning beds, and other duties as assigned.
Assemble parts to mowers as line move, keep parts ready to assemble and cardboard and trash clear away.
Maintain seasonal grounds work, lawn mowing, trimming shrubs flowerbeds, spraying pesticides, and other landscaping elements.
Keep production areas in compliance with sanitation standards set by HACCP, FDA, USDA, and customer's requirements.

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 worker vs general machine operator skills

Common factory worker skills

Line Assembly, 25%
Production Process, 19%
Safety Regulations, 18%
Pallet Jack, 8%
Temp Service, 5%
Quality Checks, 5%

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 Worker
Factory Worker vs General Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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