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The differences between machine builders and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine builder has an average salary of $39,658, which is higher than the $32,874 average annual salary of a machine operator.
The top three skills for a machine builder include hand tools, CNC and mechanical assembly. The most important skills for a machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.
| Machine Builder | Machine Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,658 | $32,874 |
| Hourly rate | $19.07 | $15.80 |
| Growth rate | -6% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 38,879 | 96,834 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
A machine builder typically works as someone responsible for building machinery and equipment in a manufacturing, industrial, or processing facility. It requires labor as they often carry and work with heavy equipment and machine tools. They are the person who assembles parts, draws blueprint and sketches, and drills holes. They are also responsible for the construction of buildings with the use of either a hand tool or power tool.
Machine operators are responsible for managing the machines assigned to them. They set up, install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure quality output. Machine operators must know the inner workings of the machine such that they can easily address any problems that may arise. They must ensure that all components of the machine are working well. They perform maintenance routine checks to ensure that the machine is working at the most efficient capacity, is well-stocked with needed materials, and producing the best output. Machine operators are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation of the machine.
Machine builders and machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machine Builder | Machine Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,658 | $32,874 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $49,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cedar Falls, IA | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Corning Incorporated | BD |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a machine builder and a machine operator in terms of educational background:
| Machine Builder | Machine Operator | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between machine builders' and machine operators' demographics:
| Machine Builder | Machine Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 2.4% Hispanic or Latino, 4.9% Asian, 1.9% White, 80.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |