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Manufacturing operator vs relief operator

The differences between manufacturing operators and relief operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a relief operator has an average salary of $42,693, which is higher than the $34,457 average annual salary of a manufacturing operator.

The top three skills for a manufacturing operator include basic math, GMP and math. The most important skills for a relief operator are food safety, CIP, and PPE.

Manufacturing operator vs relief operator overview

Manufacturing OperatorRelief Operator
Yearly salary$34,457$42,693
Hourly rate$16.57$20.53
Growth rate2%7%
Number of jobs97,65664,469
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age4644
Years of experience2-

What does a manufacturing operator do?

A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals. Furthermore, it is vital to comply with the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.

What does a relief operator do?

A relief operator job depends on the institution or organization. Their main jobs include examining, measuring, and weighing materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales. Their additional responsibilities include maintaining regular contact and communication with customers to resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.

Manufacturing operator vs relief operator salary

Manufacturing operators and relief operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Manufacturing OperatorRelief Operator
Average salary$34,457$42,693
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $43,000Between $36,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityFort Collins, COHutchinson, KS
Highest paying stateWyomingKansas
Best paying companyDuPontNestlé
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalEnergy

Differences between manufacturing operator and relief operator education

There are a few differences between a manufacturing operator and a relief operator in terms of educational background:

Manufacturing OperatorRelief Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford University-

Manufacturing operator vs relief operator demographics

Here are the differences between manufacturing operators' and relief operators' demographics:

Manufacturing OperatorRelief Operator
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 69.2% Female, 30.8%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between manufacturing operator and relief operator duties and responsibilities

Manufacturing operator example 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.
  • Experience and certify in handling chemicals with proper PPE acid gear.
  • Follow ISO work instructions to manufacture and convert high quality polishing pads.
  • Show more

Relief operator example responsibilities.

  • Run and maintain production machinery while following all company GMP's and safety policies.
  • Utilize chemicals for clean-ups, always following MSDS instructions and wearing proper PPE at all times.
  • Perform work in specialize chemical/acid resistant PPE with SCBA, chemical resistant heat suits, inline air and escape packs.
  • Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.
  • Perform routine verification of equipment when unloading autoclaves and setting up aseptic filling machines.

Manufacturing operator vs relief operator skills

Common manufacturing operator skills
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • GMP, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 5%
  • Safety Rules, 4%
Common relief operator skills
  • Food Safety, 18%
  • CIP, 11%
  • PPE, 7%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • CDL, 6%

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