Machine lay out worker vs machine operator

The differences between machine lay out workers 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 $31,482 average annual salary of a machine lay out worker.

The top three skills for a machine lay out worker include quality checks, CNC and RAN. The most important skills for a machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Machine lay out worker vs machine operator overview

	Machine Lay Out Worker	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$31,482	$32,874
Hourly rate	$15.14	$15.80
Growth rate	-8%	-6%
Number of jobs	51,333	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 69%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	45	44
Years of experience	2	-

Machine lay out worker vs machine operator salary

Machine lay out workers and machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Machine Lay Out Worker	Machine Operator
Average salary	$31,482	$32,874
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Shakopee, MN	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	New York	Minnesota
Best paying company	Caterpillar	BD
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between machine lay out worker and machine operator education

There are a few differences between a machine lay out worker and a machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Machine Lay Out Worker	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 69%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machine lay out worker vs machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between machine lay out workers' and machine operators' demographics:

	Machine Lay Out Worker	Machine Operator
Average age	45	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 5.9% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	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	3%	5%

Differences between machine lay out worker and machine operator duties and responsibilities

Machine lay out worker example responsibilities.

Inspect the media run in the machines and calibration of air gauges.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Work on various vehicle production lines assembling components for Chrysler automobiles.

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 lay out worker vs machine operator skills

Common machine lay out worker skills

Quality Checks, 78%
CNC, 10%
RAN, 7%
Assembly Line, 4%
Unload Machines, 2%

Common machine operator skills

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

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Machine Lay Out Worker
Machine Lay Out Worker vs Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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