Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between line operators and handle 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 $29,598 average annual salary of a handle machine operator.
The top three skills for a line operator include preventative maintenance, PPE and basic math. The most important skills for a handle machine operator are forklifts, cranes, and production lines.
| Line Operator | Handle Machine Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,520 | $29,598 |
| Hourly rate | $16.60 | $14.23 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 137,127 | 110,258 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| 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.
A handle machine operator is responsible for operating production machines, conducting preventive maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance to prevent delays in orders or project deliverables. Handle machine operators analyze schematics and blueprints, inspect components for inconsistencies, replace defective parts, and upgrade systems as needed for higher operational efficiency. They also create resolution records for reference and manage maintenance standards to prevent downtimes. A handle machine operator must have excellent mechanical skills, especially on identifying machine problems and following specifications.
Line operators and handle machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Operator | Handle Machine Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,520 | $29,598 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $23,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | BD | Land O'Lakes |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a line operator and a handle machine operator in terms of educational background:
| Line Operator | Handle Machine Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line operators' and handle machine operators' demographics:
| Line Operator | Handle Machine Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% |
| 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, 12.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |