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The differences between laser operators and extrusion operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an extrusion operator has an average salary of $36,571, which is higher than the $34,813 average annual salary of a laser operator.
The top three skills for a laser operator include laser cutting, calipers and laser machine. The most important skills for an extrusion operator are extrusion, hand tools, and math.
| Laser Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,813 | $36,571 |
| Hourly rate | $16.74 | $17.58 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 56,479 | 58,622 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A Laser Operator is responsible for operating the machine and devices used for laser purposes. They do the engraving and cutting of the metal or plastic parts of the laser device. They set up and adjust the machine lens to meet the correct specification. They also ensure that there will be no issues before and after operating the laser device by routinely checking the equipment. They also need to monitor and do an inventory of instruments and tools required if there are operations or whenever they are required.
An extrusion operator is also sometimes called a drawing machine operator. They control and monitor machines that shape thermoplastic materials for industries such as aerospace manufacturing, general plastics manufacturing, and automobile and auto parts manufacturing. An extrusion operator sets up and operates a machine following established procedures, guidelines, and customer requirement. Mechanical skills are the very foundation of being an extrusion operator. An extrusion operator also needs physical strength, stamina, computer skills, and critical thinking skills.
Laser operators and extrusion operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laser Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,813 | $36,571 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oregon City, OR | Minnetonka, MN |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Kloeckner Metals | BD |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a laser operator and an extrusion operator in terms of educational background:
| Laser Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between laser operators' and extrusion operators' demographics:
| Laser Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 3% |