Post job

Operator trainee vs line operator

The differences between operators trainee and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an operator trainee has an average salary of $36,978, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.

The top three skills for an operator trainee include customer service, hand tools and CDL. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.

Operator trainee vs line operator overview

Operator TraineeLine Operator
Yearly salary$36,978$34,520
Hourly rate$17.78$16.60
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs73,657137,127
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%High School Diploma, 49%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does an operator trainee do?

The duties of an operator trainee depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around gaining insights by performing support tasks such as producing progress reports and documentation, maintaining records, coordinating with other members of the workforce, and operating machines while under the supervision of a manager or senior operator. Furthermore, as an operator trainee, it is essential to uphold the company's policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.

What does a line operator do?

A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.

Operator trainee vs line operator salary

Operators trainee and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Operator TraineeLine Operator
Average salary$36,978$34,520
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $45,000Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityMiddletown, CTGrand Forks, ND
Highest paying stateHawaiiNorth Dakota
Best paying companyIBMBD
Best paying industryEnergyManufacturing

Differences between operator trainee and line operator education

There are a few differences between an operator trainee and a line operator in terms of educational background:

Operator TraineeLine Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%High School Diploma, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Operator trainee vs line operator demographics

Here are the differences between operators trainee' and line operators' demographics:

Operator TraineeLine Operator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 77.5% Female, 22.5%Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 9.3% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between operator trainee and line operator duties and responsibilities

Operator trainee example responsibilities.

  • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
  • Operate valves, pumps and extruders.
  • Work oilfield operations as a Jr.
  • Perform LOTO on process equipment and piping.
  • Work with PLC technician on solving PLC issues.
  • Assist crew workers with laying asphalt and smoothing asphalt out.
  • Show more

Line operator example responsibilities.

  • Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
  • Weld various models of Honda car seats.
  • Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
  • Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
  • Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
  • Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.
  • Show more

Operator trainee vs line operator skills

Common operator trainee skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • CDL, 11%
  • DOT, 5%
  • Minor Maintenance, 4%
  • Hazardous Materials, 4%
Common line operator skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • PPE, 9%
  • Basic Math, 9%
  • Extrusion, 8%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Assembly Line, 5%

Browse production and manufacturing jobs