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Line operator vs cell operator

The differences between line operators and cell operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cell operator has an average salary of $37,866, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.

The top three skills for a line operator include preventative maintenance, PPE and basic math. The most important skills for a cell operator are hand tools, math, and quality standards.

Line operator vs cell operator overview

Line OperatorCell Operator
Yearly salary$34,520$37,866
Hourly rate$16.60$18.20
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs137,12766,532
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4443
Years of experience--

What does a line operator do?

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.

What does a cell operator do?

A Cell Operator is someone who handles a production cell in a company or factory. This position ensures that a cell unit of the production functions properly and efficiently. The position also does other miscellaneous tasks related to production, such as inspection, sorting, and other assembly operations, depending on the type of company, business, or manufactured product. This person generally has strong organizational and problem-solving skills and has a knack for troubleshooting.

Line operator vs cell operator salary

Line operators and cell operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Line OperatorCell Operator
Average salary$34,520$37,866
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $43,000Between $31,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityGrand Forks, NDBothell, WA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaWashington
Best paying companyBDCummins
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between line operator and cell operator education

There are a few differences between a line operator and a cell operator in terms of educational background:

Line OperatorCell Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 49%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Line operator vs cell operator demographics

Here are the differences between line operators' and cell operators' demographics:

Line OperatorCell Operator
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 67.6% Female, 32.4%Male, 68.8% Female, 31.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between line operator and cell operator duties and responsibilities

Line operator example responsibilities.

  • Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
  • Weld various models of Honda car seats.
  • Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
  • Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
  • Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
  • Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.
  • Show more

Cell operator example responsibilities.

  • Work with QC on parts.
  • Capture torque data for SPC charts.
  • Read and implement PC (product criteria).
  • Work with engineering to make specialty repair parts for hoists.
  • Adjust CNC machines as needed to ensure that parts are made to spec.
  • Assist in editing CNC programs and develop new part setups and tooling while working closely with manufacturing engineers.
  • Show more

Line operator vs cell operator skills

Common line operator skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • PPE, 9%
  • Basic Math, 9%
  • Extrusion, 8%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
Common cell operator skills
  • Hand Tools, 12%
  • Math, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 8%
  • CNC, 8%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Micrometers, 6%

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