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Furnace operator vs general machine operator

The differences between furnace operators and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a furnace operator has an average salary of $35,972, which is higher than the $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a furnace operator include math, basic math and cranes. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Furnace operator vs general machine operator overview

Furnace OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Yearly salary$35,972$32,414
Hourly rate$17.29$15.58
Growth rate-5%7%
Number of jobs58,975138,111
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Furnace operator vs general machine operator salary

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

Furnace OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Average salary$35,972$32,414
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $44,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityRochester, NYOshkosh, WI
Highest paying stateNew YorkWisconsin
Best paying companyBWX TechnologiesReckitt Benckiser
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between furnace operator and general machine operator education

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

Furnace OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Furnace operator vs general machine operator demographics

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

Furnace OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 92.6% Female, 7.4%Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage7%5%

Differences between furnace operator and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Furnace operator example responsibilities.

  • Lead and coordinate team in all aspects of operation in an aluminum blast furnace.
  • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
  • Operate ABB robotic cell by loading parts on fixtures to be weld together.
  • Maintain safety measures and PPE.
  • Complete minor touch ups with MIG welders.
  • Spray arc welding utilizing gas shield MIG.
  • Show more

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.

Furnace operator vs general machine operator skills

Common furnace operator skills
  • Math, 9%
  • Basic Math, 9%
  • Cranes, 9%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Brazing, 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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