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The differences between finisher operators and extrusion 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 $35,406 average annual salary of a finisher operator.
The top three skills for a finisher operator include hand tools, math and quality checks. The most important skills for an extrusion operator are extrusion, hand tools, and math.
| Finisher Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,406 | $36,571 |
| Hourly rate | $17.02 | $17.58 |
| Growth rate | 7% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 77,850 | 58,622 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A finisher operator finalizes a product. They put on the final layer of paint, stitching, engraving or cloth on the product to complete it. They may also restore furniture by fixing dents or discoloration. They are responsible for making sure that their equipment does not malfunction and making minor repairs. They assist in trimming, molding, packing, and transporting the final product, and they are also responsible for final quality control.
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.
Finisher operators and extrusion operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Finisher Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,406 | $36,571 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $44,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Horsham, PA | Minnetonka, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Elanco | BD |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a finisher operator and an extrusion operator in terms of educational background:
| Finisher Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between finisher operators' and extrusion operators' demographics:
| Finisher Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 2.5% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 3% |