Some of the skills we found on operator resumes included "safety procedures," "cdl," and "emergency calls." We have detailed the most important operator responsibilities below.
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 representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.
- 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.
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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.
The three companies that hire the most prestigious operators are:
- FedEx138 Operators Jobs
- ADM81 Operators Jobs
- Swagelok Company76 Operators Jobs
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What Machine Operator/Forklift Operators Do
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.
We looked at the average operator annual salary and compared it with the average of a machine operator/forklift operator. Generally speaking, machine operator/forklift operators receive $5,476 lower pay than operators per year.
While their salaries may differ, one common ground between operators and machine operator/forklift operators are a few of the skills required in each craft. In both careers, employees bring forth skills like safety procedures, preventative maintenance, and quality checks.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. An operator responsibility is more likely to require skills like "cdl," "emergency calls," "dozer," and "dump truck." Whereas a machine operator/forklift operator requires skills like "drive forklift," "electric pallet jack," "sit-down forklift," and "rf." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.
Machine operator/forklift operators really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,711. Whereas 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.
What Are The Duties Of an 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.
Next up, we have the equipment operator/labour profession to look over. This career brings along a lower average salary when compared to an operator annual salary. In fact, equipment operators/labour salary difference is $3,969 lower than the salary of operators per year.
While the salary may be different for these job positions, there is one similarity and that's a few of the skills needed to perform certain duties. We used info from lots of resumes to find that both operators and equipment operators/labour are known to have skills such as "cdl," "preventative maintenance," and "dozer. "
But both careers also use different skills, according to real operator resumes. While operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "safety procedures," "emergency calls," "quality checks," and "assembly line," some 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 side of things, operators receive higher paychecks in the technology industry where they earn an average of $41,321.
When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, 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.
How a General Machine Operator Compares
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 general machine operator profession generally makes a lower amount of money when compared to the average salary of operators. The difference in salaries is general machine operators making $5,514 lower than operators.
While looking through the resumes of several operators and general machine operators we discovered that both professions have similar skills. These similarities include skills such as "safety procedures," "quality checks," and "assembly line," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.
As mentioned, these two careers differ between other skills that are required for performing the work exceedingly well. For example, gathering from operators resumes, they are more likely to have skills like "cdl," "emergency calls," "preventative maintenance," and "dozer." But a general machine operator might have skills like "math," "troubleshoot," "production process," and "tape measure."
Interestingly enough, general machine operators earn the most pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $35,435. As mentioned previously, operators highest annual salary comes from the technology industry with an average salary of $41,321.
General machine operators are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to operators. Additionally, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
Description Of a Maintenance Operator
Maintenance operators tend to earn a lower pay than operators by about $2,508 per year.
While their salaries may vary, operators and maintenance operators both use similar skills to perform their jobs. Resumes from both professions include skills like "safety procedures," "cdl," and "preventative maintenance. "
Each job requires different skills like "emergency calls," "quality checks," "dozer," and "assembly line," which might show up on an operator resume. Whereas maintenance operator might include skills like "hand tools," "mowing," "dot," and "equipment operation."
Maintenance operators earn a higher salary in the energy industry with an average of $41,741. Whereas, operators earn the highest salary in the technology industry.
Maintenance operators reach similar levels of education when compared to operators. The difference is that they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree less, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Types Of Operator
Forklift Operator
Average Salary: $34,213
High School Diploma
Available Jobs: 192,871
How To Become a Forklift Operator
Equipment Operator
Average Salary: $31,739
High School Diploma
Available Jobs: 55,062
How To Become an Equipment Operator
Production Operator
Average Salary: $35,185
High School Diploma
Available Jobs: 24,052
How To Become a Production Operator
Lift Operator
Average Salary: $32,309
High School Diploma
Available Jobs: 23,546
How To Become a Lift Operator
Labour Operator
Average Salary: $34,180
High School Diploma
Available Jobs: 21,247
How To Become a Labour Operator
Line Operator
Average Salary: $34,520
High School Diploma
Available Jobs: 16,712
How To Become a Line Operator
What an Operator Does FAQs
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.
Have more questions? See all answers to common transportation questions.