Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between lead operator/machine operators and machine 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 $32,874 average annual salary of a 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 machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,819 | $32,874 |
| Hourly rate | $19.14 | $15.80 |
| Growth rate | - | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 162,376 | 96,834 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| 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.
Machine operators are responsible for managing the machines assigned to them. They set up, install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure quality output. Machine operators must know the inner workings of the machine such that they can easily address any problems that may arise. They must ensure that all components of the machine are working well. They perform maintenance routine checks to ensure that the machine is working at the most efficient capacity, is well-stocked with needed materials, and producing the best output. Machine operators are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation of the machine.
Lead operator/machine operators and machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,819 | $32,874 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | California | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | BD | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a lead operator/machine operator and a machine operator in terms of educational background:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead operator/machine operators' and machine operators' demographics:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1% | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |