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Industrial worker vs general machine operator

The differences between industrial workers and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general machine operator has an average salary of $32,414, which is higher than the $31,464 average annual salary of an industrial worker.

The top three skills for an industrial worker include industrial cleaning, pallets and hand tools. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Industrial worker vs general machine operator overview

Industrial WorkerGeneral Machine Operator
Yearly salary$31,464$32,414
Hourly rate$15.13$15.58
Growth rate1%7%
Number of jobs99,045138,111
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age3844
Years of experience--

Industrial worker vs general machine operator salary

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

Industrial WorkerGeneral Machine Operator
Average salary$31,464$32,414
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityWhite Bear Lake, MNOshkosh, WI
Highest paying stateConnecticutWisconsin
Best paying companyClean HarborsReckitt Benckiser
Best paying industryAutomotiveFinance

Differences between industrial worker and general machine operator education

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

Industrial WorkerGeneral Machine Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Industrial worker vs general machine operator demographics

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

Industrial WorkerGeneral Machine Operator
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 61.3% Female, 38.7%Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage9%5%

Differences between industrial worker and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Industrial worker example responsibilities.

  • Maximize efficiency by critically evaluating resources by utilizing on-the-spot math and visualizing complete orders to minimize error before building a pallet.
  • Help develop acontrol atmosphere brazing oven for a new cupro braze radiator

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.

Industrial worker vs general machine operator skills

Common industrial worker skills
  • Industrial Cleaning, 19%
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Assembly Line, 14%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Pallet Jack, 4%
Common general machine operator skills
  • Math, 12%
  • CNC, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Production Process, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%

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