What does an industrial worker do?
Industrial worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real industrial worker resumes:
- 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
Industrial worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Industrial Workers are proficient in Industrial Cleaning, Pallets, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Industrial Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Industrial Cleaning, 19%
Pick/packed merchandise, loaded and unloaded trucks, managed inventory, and provided industrial cleaning services.
- Pallets, 18%
Contributed to productivity by meeting or exceeding production demands, learned all aspects of pallet building.
- Hand Tools, 16%
Replaced defective components utilizing hand tools, power presses, and other devices used for specific applications.
- Assembly Line, 14%
Worked on an Industrial assembly line making polyurethane fabric
- Safety Standards, 8%
Assembled medical supplies-Packaged finished products-Maintained safety standards
- Pallet Jack, 4%
Used hand scanner with electric pallet jack and forklift to put away all 1st quality product into specific location in warehouse.
"industrial cleaning," "pallets," and "hand tools" are among the most common skills that industrial workers use at work. You can find even more industrial worker responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an industrial worker to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." Additionally, an industrial worker resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "position included frequent contact and communication with both machine operators and quality control central. "
Customer-service skills. Many industrial worker duties rely on customer-service skills. "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom.," so an industrial worker will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways industrial worker responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "move boxes with customer's documents from shelving racks onto pallets to be processed for shredding or transport. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of industrial workers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday industrial worker duties, as "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "worked for a company named grainger through adecco assisting with a security detail during the pope's visit to philadelphia. "
Math skills. For certain industrial worker responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of an industrial worker rely on this skill, as "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what industrial workers do: "collected, analyzed, and reported data for my supervisors from the production process using basic math and statistics. "
The three companies that hire the most industrial workers are:
- Clean Harbors9 industrial workers jobs
- DHL7 industrial workers jobs
- MBS Solutions6 industrial workers jobs
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Compare different industrial workers
Industrial worker vs. Handle machine operator
A handle machine operator is responsible for operating production machines, conducting preventive maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance to prevent delays in orders or project deliverables. Handle machine operators analyze schematics and blueprints, inspect components for inconsistencies, replace defective parts, and upgrade systems as needed for higher operational efficiency. They also create resolution records for reference and manage maintenance standards to prevent downtimes. A handle machine operator must have excellent mechanical skills, especially on identifying machine problems and following specifications.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, industrial worker responsibilities require skills like "industrial cleaning," "pallets," "hand tools," and "pallet jack." Meanwhile a typical handle machine operator has skills in areas such as "forklifts," "cranes," "production lines," and "electric pallet jack." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Handle machine operators earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $34,314. On the other hand, industrial workers are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $34,925.On average, handle machine operators reach similar levels of education than industrial workers. Handle machine operators are 1.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Industrial worker vs. Production internship
A production internship is a program for a college student who works as a support person and seeks experience in the film or television set. An intern will research topics using various sources such as the internet, assist production staff in developing relevant stories for the television, film, and social media and run errands for a particular project. Aside from running errands, an intern should possess essential computer software like Microsoft Office and excellent communication skills. An intern must be enrolled in an accredited college or university.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real industrial worker resumes. While industrial worker responsibilities can utilize skills like "industrial cleaning," "pallets," "hand tools," and "assembly line," production interns use skills like "video production," "production intern," "powerpoint," and "audio board."
On average, production interns earn a higher salary than industrial workers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, production interns earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $35,329. Whereas industrial workers have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $34,925.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Production interns tend to reach similar levels of education than industrial workers. In fact, they're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Industrial worker vs. Production assistant
Production assistants are employees in show business, working behind the scenes. They work in film, television, or even theatre sets primarily to provide support. They usually work directly under directors or producers. Production assistants are responsible for ensuring that the day will run smoothly, be it for a television or film shoot or a performance at the theatre. They should be familiar with all the scenes, ensure that the cast and crew are ready, and cue them when it is their time to go on. They should also be able to anticipate needs that may arise and should be able to quickly mitigate any challenges. Production assistants should be flexible and have quick decision-making skills.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from industrial worker resumes include skills like "industrial cleaning," "pallets," "hand tools," and "safety standards," whereas a production assistant is more likely to list skills in "video production," "teleprompter," "audio board," and "purchase orders. "
Production assistants earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $33,794. Industrial workers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $34,925.Most production assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to industrial workers. For example, they're 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Industrial worker vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
Types of industrial worker
Updated January 8, 2025
