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What is a finishing area operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a finishing area operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.87 an hour? That's $33,012 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreFinishing Area OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,012

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
-

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.99%

Asian 6.88%

Black or African American 11.26%

Hispanic or Latino 23.33%

Unknown 4.36%

White 53.17%

Gender

female 11.50%

male 88.50%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Key steps to become a finishing area operator

  1. Explore finishing area operator education requirements

    Most common finishing area operator degrees

    Bachelor's

    36.5 %

    High School Diploma

    34.6 %

    Associate

    13.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific finishing area operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Safety Procedures63.60%
    Operational Procedures24.67%
    Rail Cars11.73%
  3. Research finishing area operator duties and responsibilities

    • Experience following procedures and managing GMP documentation.
    • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
    • Load pre-cut graphite stamp dyes into EDM head.
  4. Prepare your finishing area operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your finishing area operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a finishing area operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable finishing area operator resume templates

    Build a professional finishing area operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your finishing area operator resume.
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
    Finishing Area Operator Resume
  5. Apply for finishing area operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a finishing area operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first finishing area operator job

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Average finishing area operator salary

The average finishing area operator salary in the United States is $33,012 per year or $16 per hour. Finishing area operator salaries range between $23,000 and $45,000 per year.

Average finishing area operator salary
$33,012 Yearly
$15.87 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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