Forming machine operator vs line operator

The differences between forming machine operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forming machine operator has an average salary of $35,252, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.

The top three skills for a forming machine operator include quality standards, safety rules and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.

Forming machine operator vs line operator overview

	Forming Machine Operator	Line Operator
Yearly salary	$35,252	$34,520
Hourly rate	$16.95	$16.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	65,510	137,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Forming machine operator vs line operator salary

Forming machine operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forming Machine Operator	Line Operator
Average salary	$35,252	$34,520
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $46,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Connecticut	North Dakota
Best paying company	AMETEK	BD
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between forming machine operator and line operator education

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

	Forming Machine Operator	Line Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forming machine operator vs line operator demographics

Here are the differences between forming machine operators' and line operators' demographics:

	Forming Machine Operator	Line Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between forming machine operator and line operator duties and responsibilities

Forming machine operator example responsibilities.

Design all extrusion dies and their support tooling.
Utilize CNC machinery for shaping and routing of materials for final product.
Trouble shooting CNC programs and re writing programs to edit to meet measurement specification.
Machine parts according to customer specifications utilizing calipers.
Work with injection molding manufacturing hospital product parts -operate machines in departments of extrusion and injection molding -Experience with digital calipers.
Stack pieces onto pallet, strap and then wrap the pallet up and label with customers information for pick up date.

Line operator example responsibilities.

Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
Weld various models of Honda car seats.
Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.

Forming machine operator vs line operator skills

Common forming machine operator skills

Quality Standards, 18%
Safety Rules, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Tape Measure, 6%
Pallets, 6%
Cranes, 6%

Common line operator skills

Preventative Maintenance, 12%
PPE, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Extrusion, 8%
Quality Checks, 7%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Forming Machine Operator
Forming Machine Operator vs Line Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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