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The differences between lead operator/machine operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead operator/machine operator has an average salary of $39,819, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line 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 line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,819 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $19.14 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | - | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 162,376 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Lead operator/machine operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,819 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | California | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BD | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a lead operator/machine operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead operator/machine operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |