Machine shop worker vs machine operator

The differences between machine shop 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 $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 machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Machine shop worker vs machine operator overview

	Machine Shop Worker	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$30,548	$32,874
Hourly rate	$14.69	$15.80
Growth rate	-5%	-6%
Number of jobs	60,736	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	-	-

Machine shop worker vs machine operator salary

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

	Machine Shop Worker	Machine Operator
Average salary	$30,548	$32,874
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Bothell, WA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Washington	Minnesota
Best paying company	Precision Castparts	BD
Best paying industry	Automotive	Automotive

Differences between machine shop worker and machine operator education

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

	Machine Shop Worker	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machine shop worker vs machine operator demographics

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

	Machine Shop Worker	Machine Operator
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black 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, 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	5%	5%

Differences between machine shop worker and machine 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.

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 shop worker vs machine operator skills

Common machine shop worker skills

Machine Shop, 31%
Hand Tools, 27%
Calipers, 12%
Grinders, 10%
Safety Guidelines, 5%
Lathe Machines, 3%

Common machine operator skills

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