Machine helper vs machine operator

The differences between machine helpers and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator has an average salary of $32,874, 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 machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Machine helper vs machine operator overview

	Machine Helper	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$31,968	$32,874
Hourly rate	$15.37	$15.80
Growth rate	4%	-6%
Number of jobs	43,949	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	40	44
Years of experience	-	-

Machine helper vs machine operator salary

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

	Machine Helper	Machine Operator
Average salary	$31,968	$32,874
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Coon Rapids, MN	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Maine	Minnesota
Best paying company	Argonne National Laboratory	BD
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between machine helper and machine operator education

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

	Machine Helper	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machine helper vs machine operator demographics

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

	Machine Helper	Machine Operator
Average age	40	44
Gender ratio	Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black 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, 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	2%	5%

Differences between machine helper and 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.

Machine operator example responsibilities.

Conduct preventative maintenance checks on industrial brake manufacturing machines and forklifts.
Follow company and safety procedures using industrial chemicals and PPE to efficiently clean and sanitize all equipment.
Operate forklift and bobcat as needed.
Run a line in a PVC pipe production plant.
Operate machinery including forklift, bobcat and various power tools.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Machine helper vs 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 machine operator skills

Basic Math, 11%
CNC, 9%
Math, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%