Operations inspector vs machine operator

The differences between operations inspectors and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator has an average salary of $32,874, which is higher than the $29,238 average annual salary of an operations inspector.

The top three skills for an operations inspector include safety procedures, GMP and quality standards. The most important skills for a machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Operations inspector vs machine operator overview

	Operations Inspector	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$29,238	$32,874
Hourly rate	$14.06	$15.80
Growth rate	-3%	-6%
Number of jobs	99,334	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	45	44
Years of experience	-	-

Operations inspector vs machine operator salary

Operations inspectors and machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operations Inspector	Machine Operator
Average salary	$29,238	$32,874
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $36,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Lakewood, WA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Washington	Minnesota
Best paying company	BD	BD
Best paying industry	Technology	Automotive

Differences between operations inspector and machine operator education

There are a few differences between an operations inspector and a machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Operations Inspector	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Operations inspector vs machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between operations inspectors' and machine operators' demographics:

	Operations Inspector	Machine Operator
Average age	45	44
Gender ratio	Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 9.2% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	4%	5%

Differences between operations inspector and machine operator duties and responsibilities

Operations inspector example responsibilities.

Inventory and manage all stock products within a retail warehousing environment utilizing RF scanner and barcode readers to document material.
Replace fiberglass balls after they run out.
Change out automations inside press machine when different parts where run.
Perform AQL inspection for the returned batches for their specify quality attributes and complete the necessary disposition documentation.
Inventory and manage all stock products within a retail warehousing environment utilizing RF scanner and barcode readers to document material.
Assemble fuel injectors for BMW.

Machine operator example responsibilities.

Conduct preventative maintenance checks on industrial brake manufacturing machines and forklifts.
Follow company and safety procedures using industrial chemicals and PPE to efficiently clean and sanitize all equipment.
Operate forklift and bobcat as needed.
Run a line in a PVC pipe production plant.
Operate machinery including forklift, bobcat and various power tools.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Operations inspector vs machine operator skills

Common operations inspector skills

Safety Procedures, 13%
GMP, 9%
Quality Standards, 6%
Inspection Equipment, 6%
CMM, 6%
Quality Inspection, 5%

Common machine operator skills

Basic Math, 11%
CNC, 9%
Math, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Operations Inspector
Operations Inspector vs Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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