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Machine shop worker vs finisher operator

The differences between machine shop workers and finisher operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a finisher operator has an average salary of $35,406, which is higher than the $30,548 average annual salary of a machine shop worker.

The top three skills for a machine shop worker include machine shop, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a finisher operator are hand tools, math, and quality checks.

Machine shop worker vs finisher operator overview

Machine Shop WorkerFinisher Operator
Yearly salary$30,548$35,406
Hourly rate$14.69$17.02
Growth rate-5%7%
Number of jobs60,73677,850
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4343
Years of experience-4

Machine shop worker vs finisher operator salary

Machine shop workers and finisher operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Machine Shop WorkerFinisher Operator
Average salary$30,548$35,406
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $28,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityBothell, WAHorsham, PA
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyPrecision CastpartsElanco
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between machine shop worker and finisher operator education

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

Machine Shop WorkerFinisher Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Machine shop worker vs finisher operator demographics

Here are the differences between machine shop workers' and finisher operators' demographics:

Machine Shop WorkerFinisher Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 91.1% Female, 8.9%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.3% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 15.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 2.5% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage5%4%

Differences between machine shop worker and finisher operator duties and responsibilities

Machine shop worker example responsibilities.

  • Perform tig, mig, and spot welding.
  • Perform machine work involving the use of drill press, grinders, power saws, fork lifts and Bridgeport.
  • Perform MIG welding on light gauge materials.
  • Operate heavy duty saws, threading machines, drills, and grinders.
  • Construct automated and structural equipment for companies using primarily aluminum extrusion.
  • Provide quality product, meeting JIT schedules to the assembly plants, on time and in full.

Finisher operator example responsibilities.

  • Experience following procedures and managing GMP documentation.
  • Position and secure workpieces, using hoists, banding machines or hand tools.
  • Cross train in CIP validation.
  • Perform labor duties of concrete demolition.
  • Operate multiple CNC machines and shadow CNC programmers
  • Process parts for fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI/ NDT).
  • Show more

Machine shop worker vs finisher operator skills

Common machine shop worker skills
  • Machine Shop, 31%
  • Hand Tools, 27%
  • Calipers, 12%
  • Grinders, 10%
  • Safety Guidelines, 5%
  • Lathe Machines, 3%
Common finisher operator skills
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Math, 9%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Product Quality, 5%

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