What does an operator do?
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real operator resumes:
- 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.
- Job require basic math skills: fractions and decimals.
- Ensure safety of all equipment during production in compliance with strict OSHA and safety regulations.
- Utilize production experience, oral communication skills, visual acuity, manual dexterity and the company's on-the-job training.
- Retrieve required raw materials, and load appropriate system by means of forklifts, front end loaders, or skid steers.
- Perform preventative maintenance on loaders and conveyor equipment.
- Supply loading equipment with empty pallets and inform supervisor of equipment malfunction.
- Work FRAC, drill outs, oil, and high pressure gas jobs.
- Operate Flexo machines for printing specialties.
- Trouble shoot equipment and perform LOTO procedures per sops.
- Used welders and cutting torches to repair machinery and equipment.
- Move levers to raise, lower, and tilt metal forks.
Operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Operators are proficient in Safety Procedures, CDL, and Emergency Calls. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Visual ability, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Procedures, 15%
Assisted patrons entering and exiting rides, monitored activities to ensure adherence to safety procedures, shut-down and emergency evacuation procedures.
- CDL, 6%
Drive class A CDL, lay liners in sanitary sewers, also took video's of sewer lines.
- Emergency Calls, 6%
Conducted emergency medical care for a variety of emergency calls including medicals and traumas without any adverse action or complaints.
- Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Perform routine/preventative maintenance on applicable equipment to maximize efficiency and minimize accidents to enhance longer life of equipment and tools.
- Quality Checks, 4%
Calibrate machinery every two hours and complete paperwork and self-quality check every hour.
- Dozer, 4%
Operated Front end loader, dozer, excavator, haul truck, screening plant, generator with associated wiring.
Common skills that an operator uses to do their job include "safety procedures," "cdl," and "emergency calls." You can find details on the most important operator responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an operator to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Additionally, an operator resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "operate trencher, 580 case backhoe, laying cross country communication phone lines. "
Visual ability. Many operator duties rely on visual ability. "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving," so an operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways operator responsibilities rely on visual ability: "performed routine maintenance including visual, mechanical, electrical, and electronic checks to ensure proper functioning of equipment. "
Mechanical skills. operators are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to operator responsibilities, because "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." An operator resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "perform routine maintenance on the aerostat rigging, envelope repairs, mechanical and electrical equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most operators are:
- FedEx138 operators jobs
- ADM81 operators jobs
- Swagelok Company76 operators jobs
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Compare different operators
Operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an operator are more likely to require skills like "cdl," "emergency calls," "dozer," and "dump truck." On the other hand, a job as a machine operator/forklift operator requires skills like "drive forklift," "electric pallet jack," "sit-down forklift," and "rf." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Machine operator/forklift operators really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,711. Comparatively, operators tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $41,321.On average, machine operator/forklift operators reach similar levels of education than operators. Machine operator/forklift operators are 1.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Operator vs. Equipment operator/labour
Heavy equipment operators control and drive construction equipment. The operators operate heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, and lift. They are in charge of placing or moving materials and other equipment. Their job covers the inspection, cleanup, lubrication, and refilling of equipment. They should have experience in operating machines. Among the skills necessary for this job include attention to detail, physical strength, knowledge of production procedure, and analytical skills. They should be able to read schematics, manuals, and blueprints.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real operator resumes. While operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "safety procedures," "emergency calls," "quality checks," and "assembly line," equipment operators/labour use skills like "loaders," "asphalt," "safety regulations," and "sewer lines."
Equipment operators/labour may earn a lower salary than operators, but equipment operators/labour earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $38,812. On the other hand, operators receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,321.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Equipment operators/labour tend to reach similar levels of education than operators. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Operator vs. General machine operator
Maintenance operators are skilled technicians who use a variety of small equipment and tools to perform and assist in the maintenance activities of a business establishment. These operators are required to assist the equipment manager in preparing preventative maintenance procedures so that they can increase productivity and reduce downtime of equipment. They must enforce safety rules and regulations and ensure that staff members are following them to prevent accidents in the facility. Maintenance operators must also train maintenance employees in performing proper preventative maintenance.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, operators are more likely to have skills like "cdl," "emergency calls," "preventative maintenance," and "dozer." But a general machine operator is more likely to have skills like "math," "troubleshoot," "production process," and "tape measure."
General machine operators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $35,435. Operators earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $41,321.general machine operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to operators. Specifically, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Operator vs. Maintenance operator
Types of operator
Updated January 8, 2025
