Post job

General machine operator vs cell operator

The differences between general machine operators and cell operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cell operator has an average salary of $37,866, which is higher than the $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a general machine operator include math, CNC and safety procedures. The most important skills for a cell operator are hand tools, math, and quality standards.

General machine operator vs cell operator overview

General Machine OperatorCell Operator
Yearly salary$32,414$37,866
Hourly rate$15.58$18.20
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs138,11166,532
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4443
Years of experience--

General machine operator vs cell operator salary

General machine operators and cell operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

General Machine OperatorCell Operator
Average salary$32,414$37,866
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $31,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityOshkosh, WIBothell, WA
Highest paying stateWisconsinWashington
Best paying companyReckitt BenckiserCummins
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between general machine operator and cell operator education

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

General Machine OperatorCell Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

General machine operator vs cell operator demographics

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

General Machine OperatorCell Operator
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 81.2% Female, 18.8%Male, 68.8% Female, 31.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between general machine operator and cell operator duties and responsibilities

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.

Cell operator example responsibilities.

  • Work with QC on parts.
  • Capture torque data for SPC charts.
  • Read and implement PC (product criteria).
  • Work with engineering to make specialty repair parts for hoists.
  • Adjust CNC machines as needed to ensure that parts are made to spec.
  • Assist in editing CNC programs and develop new part setups and tooling while working closely with manufacturing engineers.
  • Show more

General machine operator vs cell operator skills

Common general machine operator skills
  • Math, 12%
  • CNC, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Production Process, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%
Common cell operator skills
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Math, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 8%
  • CNC, 8%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Micrometers, 6%

Browse production and manufacturing jobs