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The differences between machine operator/forklift operators and mold machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator/forklift operator has an average salary of $32,452, which is higher than the $32,186 average annual salary of a mold machine operator.
The top three skills for a machine operator/forklift operator include safety standards, drive forklift and load trucks. The most important skills for a mold machine operator are minor maintenance, quality checks, and hand tools.
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Mold Machine Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,452 | $32,186 |
| Hourly rate | $15.60 | $15.47 |
| Growth rate | 7% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 120,073 | 68,276 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
A mold machine operator is a specialist who works with a molding machine. They are in charge of setting it up and operating it to produce products. They interpret mold blueprints to ensure that the molds are produced accurately. They monitor the molding process by ensuring proper functioning of the machine, watching out for malfunctions, making nay required adjustments, and conducting machine maintenance.
Machine operator/forklift operators and mold machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Mold Machine Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,452 | $32,186 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Renton, WA | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | TreeHouse Foods | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a machine operator/forklift operator and a mold machine operator in terms of educational background:
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Mold Machine Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between machine operator/forklift operators' and mold machine operators' demographics:
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Mold Machine Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% | Male, 65.2% Female, 34.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 7.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 3% |