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The differences between line technicians and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line technician has an average salary of $39,124, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for a line technician include customer service, safety procedures and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Line Technician | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,124 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $18.81 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 152,694 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A line technician is responsible for conducting routine maintenance checks to ensure the operational efficiency of machines and equipment production. Line technicians monitor the control processes, running diagnostic tests with products and equipment, and create a comprehensive report for resolution methods. They inspect high-level machinery and observe for possible inconsistencies that may cause delays and hazards in the production, immediately notifying the management for action. A line technician must have excellent knowledge with industrial machines and the mechanical industry, as their expertise is crucial in keeping the safety and security of all production staff.
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 technicians and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Technician | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,124 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $52,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | California | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Reckitt Benckiser | BD |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a line technician and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Line Technician | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line technicians' and line operators' demographics:
| Line Technician | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.4% Female, 19.6% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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 | 4% | 5% |