How To Become A Manufacturing Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a manufacturing operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A manufacturing operator utilizes and maintains machinery in a production environment, ensuring the efficient and safe production of goods. They must be familiar with the equipment, follow safety protocols and quality control measures, and perform routine maintenance to keep machines running smoothly. They ensure that products meet the required standards and troubleshoot problems that may arise during the manufacturing process.

ScoreManufacturing OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,457

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.1

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 4.46%

Black or African American 8.75%

Hispanic or Latino 21.53%

Unknown 4.06%

White 60.50%

Gender

female 30.84%

male 69.16%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a manufacturing operator?

Pros

Opportunities for advancement
On-the-job training
Consistent work schedule
Working with a team and building relationships with coworkers
Physical activity and movement throughout the day

Cons

Limited autonomy and control over the production process
Long periods of standing or performing manual labor can lead to physical strain and fatigue
Potential for layoffs during slow production periods or plant closures
Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation in the production process
High-pressure environment with tight deadlines and performance expectations.

Key steps to become a manufacturing operator

Explore manufacturing operator education requirements

Most common manufacturing operator degrees

Bachelor's

45.0 %

Associate

23.8 %

High School Diploma

18.1 %

Start to develop specific manufacturing operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Basic Math	7.94%
GMP	7.68%
Math	6.98%
Hand Tools	5.53%
Lean Manufacturing	5.05%

Complete relevant manufacturing operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a manufacturing operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing operator resumes.

Research manufacturing operator duties and responsibilities

Manage multiple large volume fermentation tanks simultaneously.
Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Prepare, coats and finishes metal and/or other surfaces.
Work inside sterile production room, class 10,000 and ISO 9000.

Prepare your manufacturing operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manufacturing operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a manufacturing operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable manufacturing operator resume templates

Build a professional manufacturing operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your manufacturing operator resume.