Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between lead operator/machine operators and packaging 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 $34,269 average annual salary of a packaging 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 packaging operator are basic math, math, and GMP.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,819 | $34,269 |
| Hourly rate | $19.14 | $16.48 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 162,376 | 85,698 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| 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.
The primary job of a packaging operator is to take the finished product and ensure that it is packaged based on the company and industry standards. You will be responsible for operating the machinery used in packaging and conducting routine inspection and preventative equipment maintenance. Other duties include product labeling, troubleshooting equipment issues on time to prevent delays, and completing packaging orders on time. As a packaging operator, you are also responsible for ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational policies.
Lead operator/machine operators and packaging operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,819 | $34,269 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | California | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Nestlé | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a lead operator/machine operator and a packaging operator in terms of educational background:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead operator/machine operators' and packaging operators' demographics:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1% | Male, 59.7% Female, 40.3% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |