Hopper operator vs plastic machine operator

The differences between hopper operators and plastic machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a hopper operator has an average salary of $34,345, which is higher than the $31,802 average annual salary of a plastic machine operator.

The top three skills for a hopper operator include hopper cars, and . The most important skills for a plastic machine operator are quality checks, CNC, and provide technical assistance.

Hopper operator vs plastic machine operator overview

	Hopper Operator	Plastic Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$34,345	$31,802
Hourly rate	$16.51	$15.29
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	30,825	58,108
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 83%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Hopper operator vs plastic machine operator salary

Hopper operators and plastic machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Hopper Operator	Plastic Machine Operator
Average salary	$34,345	$31,802
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $48,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dart Container
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between hopper operator and plastic machine operator education

There are a few differences between a hopper operator and a plastic machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Hopper Operator	Plastic Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 83%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hopper operator vs plastic machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between hopper operators' and plastic machine operators' demographics:

	Hopper Operator	Plastic Machine Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1%	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 7.9% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between hopper operator and plastic machine operator duties and responsibilities

Hopper operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

Plastic machine operator example responsibilities.

Assist in color die changes for use in maintaining plastic extrusion machines.
Operate pallet jacks and heavy machinery assembling bolts and nuts into car parts for Honda.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

Hopper operator vs plastic machine operator skills

Common hopper operator skills

Hopper Cars, 100%

Common plastic machine operator skills

Quality Checks, 19%
CNC, 12%
Provide Technical Assistance, 11%
Mold Components, 9%
Lean Manufacturing, 8%
Safety Procedures, 6%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Hopper Operator
Hopper Operator vs Plastic Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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