Machine tool operator vs general machine operator

The differences between machine tool operators and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine tool operator has an average salary of $36,999, which is higher than the $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a machine tool operator include hand tools, cnc machines and machine tools. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Machine tool operator vs general machine operator overview

	Machine Tool Operator	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$36,999	$32,414
Hourly rate	$17.79	$15.58
Growth rate	-8%	7%
Number of jobs	66,471	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	2	-

Machine tool operator vs general machine operator salary

Machine tool operators and general machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Machine Tool Operator	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$36,999	$32,414
Salary range	Between $10,000 And $128,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Garfield, NJ	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	California	Wisconsin
Best paying company	NOV	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between machine tool operator and general machine operator education

There are a few differences between a machine tool operator and a general machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Machine Tool Operator	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machine tool operator vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between machine tool operators' and general machine operators' demographics:

	Machine Tool Operator	General Machine Operator
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	5%

Differences between machine tool operator and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Machine tool operator example responsibilities.

Operate Fanuc controls for Mori-Seki and Okuma CNC lathes.
Perform duties in compliance with ISO, QS-9000 and TQM principles and standards.
Adhere to GMP and HACCP plans within regulations.
Execute rig up and the maintenance of wellhead isolation tools as well as high-pressure well controls.
Set up and operate: lathes, mills, grinders, screw machines and electrical disintegration machines.
Perform various validation techniques using measuring instruments such as micrometers and calipers.

General machine operator example responsibilities.

Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Machine tool operator vs general machine operator skills

Common machine tool operator skills

Hand Tools, 16%
CNC Machines, 10%
Machine Tools, 10%
Grinders, 9%
Drill Presses, 8%
Rig, 7%

Common general machine operator skills

Math, 12%
CNC, 10%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Troubleshoot, 9%
Production Process, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%

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Machine Tool Operator
Machine Tool Operator vs General Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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