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Machine shop worker vs production worker

The differences between machine shop workers and production workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production worker has an average salary of $30,847, 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 production worker are production process, safety procedures, and assembly line.

Machine shop worker vs production worker overview

Machine Shop WorkerProduction Worker
Yearly salary$30,548$30,847
Hourly rate$14.69$14.83
Growth rate-5%-
Number of jobs60,736136,584
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

Machine shop worker vs production worker salary

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

Machine Shop WorkerProduction Worker
Average salary$30,548$30,847
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityBothell, WATacoma, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyPrecision CastpartsBD
Best paying industryAutomotiveAutomotive

Differences between machine shop worker and production worker education

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

Machine Shop WorkerProduction Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Machine shop worker vs production worker demographics

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

Machine Shop WorkerProduction Worker
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 91.1% Female, 8.9%Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between machine shop worker and production worker 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.

Production worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage and instruct workers in the art of food preparation as culinary team leader.
  • Require to know safe food practices like HACCP, and knowing USDA and FDA guidelines when handling and storing foods.
  • Use scribers, dividers, and squares to mark dimensions on material.
  • Produce glace, demi-glace and elite culinary sauces.
  • Handle parts that run off conveyors and are send for painting.
  • Operate large grinders, run high heat ovens, inspect and paint parts, packaging.
  • Show more

Machine shop worker vs production worker skills

Common machine shop worker skills
  • Machine Shop, 31%
  • Hand Tools, 27%
  • Calipers, 12%
  • Grinders, 10%
  • Safety Guidelines, 5%
  • Lathe Machines, 3%
Common production worker skills
  • Production Process, 15%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Assembly Line, 10%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Pallet Jack, 5%

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