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The differences between machines technicians and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machines technician has an average salary of $39,754, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for a machines technician include CNC, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Machines Technician | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,754 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $19.11 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 106,175 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A machine technician can often be seen in a manufacturing company, factories, processing centers, and machine shops. They typically work as the apprentice of machine engineers that are responsible for ensuring that all machinery and machine tools are working properly. A technician operates, installs, maintains, inspects, and repairs equipment depending on what industry they are working in, whether it may be an industrial or automotive setup. They must be keen on detail and keep the machines or equipment to the highest quality standard at all times.
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Machines technicians and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machines Technician | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,754 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $52,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | ABB | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a machines technician and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Machines Technician | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between machines technicians' and line operators' demographics:
| Machines Technician | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 5% |