Line operator vs general machine operator

The differences between line operators and general machine 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 $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a line operator include preventative maintenance, PPE and basic math. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Line operator vs general machine operator overview

	Line Operator	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$34,520	$32,414
Hourly rate	$16.60	$15.58
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	137,127	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Line operator vs general machine operator salary

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

	Line Operator	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$34,520	$32,414
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Wisconsin
Best paying company	BD	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between line operator and general machine operator education

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

	Line Operator	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Line operator vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between line operators' and general machine operators' demographics:

	Line Operator	General Machine Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between line operator and general machine 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.

General machine operator example responsibilities.

Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Line operator vs general machine operator skills

Common line operator skills

Preventative Maintenance, 12%
PPE, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Extrusion, 8%
Quality Checks, 7%
Assembly Line, 5%

Common general machine operator skills

Math, 12%
CNC, 10%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Troubleshoot, 9%
Production Process, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Line Operator
Line Operator vs General Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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