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The differences between line operators and extrusion operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an extrusion operator has an average salary of $36,571, 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 an extrusion operator are extrusion, hand tools, and math.
| Line Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,520 | $36,571 |
| Hourly rate | $16.60 | $17.58 |
| Growth rate | 7% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 137,127 | 58,622 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
An extrusion operator is also sometimes called a drawing machine operator. They control and monitor machines that shape thermoplastic materials for industries such as aerospace manufacturing, general plastics manufacturing, and automobile and auto parts manufacturing. An extrusion operator sets up and operates a machine following established procedures, guidelines, and customer requirement. Mechanical skills are the very foundation of being an extrusion operator. An extrusion operator also needs physical strength, stamina, computer skills, and critical thinking skills.
Line operators and extrusion operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,520 | $36,571 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Minnetonka, MN |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | BD | BD |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a line operator and an extrusion operator in terms of educational background:
| Line Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line operators' and extrusion operators' demographics:
| Line Operator | Extrusion Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 3% |