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The differences between factory workers and manufacturing associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a manufacturing associate has an average salary of $34,830, 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 manufacturing associate are basic math, cell culture, and math.
| Factory Worker | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $29,343 | $34,830 |
| Hourly rate | $14.11 | $16.75 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 106,768 | 55,540 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A factory worker is responsible for manufacturing products using appropriate machinery and equipment. Factory workers' duties include processing the products based on the required quantity and specifications, labeling and safely packaging the merchandise, ensuring that the items are free of any defects before distribution, monitoring the supply inventories, reporting defected machines and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of the production area. A factory worker must have excellent time-management skills to produce high-quality products within a specific time frame.
Manufacturing associates typically have varied duties and responsibilities. These include preparing materials and equipment for production, operating manufacturing equipment such as washers, and maintaining material inventory. In addition, they are responsible for inspecting purchased equipment, parts, and components, and participating in process investigations. They also review and execute documents related to manufacturing and determine any problems in the manufacturing process. To become a successful manufacturing associate, you should have skills in good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance, aseptic processing, and biotechnology.
Factory workers and manufacturing associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Factory Worker | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Average salary | $29,343 | $34,830 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $38,000 | Between $26,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | UPS | Danaher |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a factory worker and a manufacturing associate in terms of educational background:
| Factory Worker | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Biology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between factory workers' and manufacturing associates' demographics:
| Factory Worker | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% |
| 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, 10.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |