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Machine helper vs general machine operator

The differences between machine helpers and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general machine operator has an average salary of $32,414, which is higher than the $31,968 average annual salary of a machine helper.

The top three skills for a machine helper include basic math, safety rules and quality checks. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Machine helper vs general machine operator overview

Machine HelperGeneral Machine Operator
Yearly salary$31,968$32,414
Hourly rate$15.37$15.58
Growth rate4%7%
Number of jobs43,949138,111
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4044
Years of experience--

Machine helper vs general machine operator salary

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

Machine HelperGeneral Machine Operator
Average salary$31,968$32,414
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityCoon Rapids, MNOshkosh, WI
Highest paying stateMaineWisconsin
Best paying companyArgonne National LaboratoryReckitt Benckiser
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between machine helper and general machine operator education

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

Machine HelperGeneral Machine Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Machine helper vs general machine operator demographics

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

Machine HelperGeneral Machine Operator
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 86.3% Female, 13.7%Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%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 Percentage2%5%

Differences between machine helper and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Machine helper example responsibilities.

  • Inspect and dress reels on face and release ends that are next in line to be run.
  • Construct, repair, evaluate, troubleshoot and maintain dies and machining parts; determine corrective action.
  • Cut wood to lengths need for shipping during the week and pull machined parts from a CNC lathe for shipping.
  • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
  • Carry out ordinary outdoor duties such as landscaping, mowing, and cleaning.
  • Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

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.

Machine helper vs general machine operator skills

Common machine helper skills
  • Basic Math, 21%
  • Safety Rules, 10%
  • Quality Checks, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 10%
  • Pallets, 9%
  • Machine Operators, 7%
Common general machine operator skills
  • Math, 12%
  • CNC, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Production Process, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%

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