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The differences between lead operator/machine operators and lead operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead operator has an average salary of $88,429, which is higher than the $39,819 average annual salary of a lead operator/machine operator.
The top three skills for a lead operator/machine operator include safety procedures, machine operators and quality standards. The most important skills for a lead operator are customer service, HR, and process improvement.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Lead Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,819 | $88,429 |
| Hourly rate | $19.14 | $42.51 |
| Growth rate | - | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 162,376 | 87,338 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A Lead Operator or an Industrial Machinery Mechanic is responsible for creating, installing, and repairing different types of machinery. This person does the adjustment and maintenance of machines as well as the industrial production and distribution of types of equipment and other systems. They also identify the causes of the problem and determines the valued solutions. Other duties include maintaining the routine monitoring of equipment to ensure quality standards and examines the production equipment to evaluate the performance and if there are changes.
Lead operators are responsible for the direction and supervision of the day-to-day activities in facilities. As machine operators, they control machines and take charge of industrial operations. They handle and move objects, monitor processes, and inspect materials, structures, and equipment. Also, they may serve as mentors for the new production employees concerning occupational health and safety. They must be skilled in safety procedures, heavy equipment, preventive maintenance, and other things related to machine operations.
Lead operator/machine operators and lead operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Lead Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,819 | $88,429 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $54,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead operator/machine operator and a lead operator in terms of educational background:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Lead Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between lead operator/machine operators' and lead operators' demographics:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Lead Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1% | Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |