How long does it take to become an Operator?

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become an operator. That is the time it takes to learn specific operator skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Do heavy equipment operators make good money?

Yes, heavy equipment operators make good money. A heavy equipment operator on average makes $65,500 a year, which is roughly $10,000 higher than the national wage average. A heavy equipment operator can make anywhere between $54,000 and $75,000, with outliers on either side.

How much do machine operators make a year?

Machine operators make $28,000 a year. A machine operator, on average, makes $28,000 a year, with salaries ranging anywhere between $23,000 and $34,000. The barrier to entry for a machine operator is incredibly low, but sadly so is the pay rate. People with significant experience may find themselves earning more, though it is usually more beneficial to pursue advancement within the field.

Is an interaction designer the same as a UX designer?

No, an interaction designer is not necessarily the same as a UX designer. Although they are often used interchangeably, they generally focus on the overall user experience design process.

How To Become An Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is an operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An operator is a skilled worker who operates and maintains machinery or equipment in various industries. They are responsible for ensuring that the equipment operates efficiently, safely, and according to prescribed standards. Operators are trained to operate a variety of equipment such as heavy machinery, production machines, and computer systems. They monitor equipment performance, make adjustments as necessary, and report any issues to maintenance technicians. Operators must follow safety protocols and maintain accurate records of their work.

ScoreOperatorUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $37,928

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

8.3

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%

Asian 2.46%

Black or African American 16.18%

Hispanic or Latino 18.57%

Unknown 4.38%

White 57.58%

Gender

female 26.98%

male 73.02%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress Level

8.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.8

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.8

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Operator?

Pros

Job stability
Opportunities for advancement
Competitive salary and benefits
Chance to work with advanced technologies
Ability to develop problem-solving skills

Cons

High levels of stress and pressure
Long hours, including night shifts and weekends
Repetitive tasks can become monotonous
Can be emotionally draining due to dealing with difficult customers or situations
High level of responsibility and accountability for mistakes

Newest jobs for Operator in Ashburn, VA

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Key steps to become an operator

Explore operator education requirements

Most common operator degrees

High School Diploma

40.5 %

Bachelor's

22.4 %

Associate

19.6 %

Start to develop specific operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Safety Procedures	15.28%
CDL	6.49%
Emergency Calls	6.05%
Preventative Maintenance	4.36%
Quality Checks	4.23%

Complete relevant operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New 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 an operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operator resumes.

Research operator duties and responsibilities

Assist in developing the company s short and long term training plans and managing yearly ammunition allocation.
Assist and manage the extrusion process of polyester raw material in pellet or chip form to produce finish rolls of plastic.
Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.

Prepare your operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your 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 an 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 Operator Resume templates

Build a professional 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 Operator resume.

Apply for operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do operators rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Operator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2023

Pros

None

Cons

Pay, environment, stressful situations, the constant pressure and drama that occurs

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2023

Cons

Young guy's starting out that think they know everything and don't listen to us old guy's that have been doing it for years. The work is hard enough and when you don't listen and take advice from the guy's that have been doing it for years you only make it harder on everyone!

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022

Pros

It saves time and makes work easier and enhance greater output

Cons

To be surcharge when there's a damage on goods through accident

What is an operator and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being an Operator?

Newest jobs for Operator in Ashburn, VA

Operator career paths

Key steps to become an operator

Explore operator education requirements

Most common operator degrees

Start to develop specific operator skills

Complete relevant operator training and internships

Research operator duties and responsibilities

Prepare your operator resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Operator Resume templates

Apply for operator jobs

How Did You Land Your First Operator Job

Average operator salary

How do operators rate their job?

Operator reviews

Operator FAQs

How long does it take to become an Operator?

Do heavy equipment operators make good money?

How much do machine operators make a year?

Is an interaction designer the same as a UX designer?

Search for operator jobs

Operator jobs by state