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The differences between line assemblers and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line operator has an average salary of $34,520, which is higher than the $27,319 average annual salary of a line assembler.
The top three skills for a line assembler include hand tools, line assembly and work ethic. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Line Assembler | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $27,319 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $13.13 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | - | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 72,345 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A line assembler is responsible for connecting various mechanical components to create products depending on the employer's industry. Line assemblers must have excellent organizational and time-management skills, especially reading and analyzing schematics and blueprints to guide the construction process using hand tools and equipment. They inspect joint parts, ensuring its consistency and troubleshooting for any defects and malfunctions that may affect its optimization. A line assembler must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry and analytical and critical-thinking skills to follow specifications.
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.
Line assemblers and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Assembler | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $27,319 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $33,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lincoln, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Medline | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a line assembler and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Line Assembler | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line assemblers' and line operators' demographics:
| Line Assembler | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.1% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |