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The differences between pack machine operators and packaging operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pack machine operator has an average salary of $35,157, which is higher than the $34,269 average annual salary of a packaging operator.
The top three skills for a pack machine operator include basic math, defective products and team-oriented environment. The most important skills for a packaging operator are basic math, math, and GMP.
| Pack Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,157 | $34,269 |
| Hourly rate | $16.90 | $16.48 |
| Growth rate | 7% | - |
| Number of jobs | 68,876 | 85,698 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A pack machine operator is an employee who is responsible for operating and maintaining packaging machines to prepare industrial and consumer products for storage or shipment. Pack machine operators observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products are up to standards. They monitor the production line to avoid problems such as pile-ups or jams while removing defective products and packaging material. Pack machine operators must also conduct maintenance of the packaging machines on a weekly to monthly basis.
The primary job of a packaging operator is to take the finished product and ensure that it is packaged based on the company and industry standards. You will be responsible for operating the machinery used in packaging and conducting routine inspection and preventative equipment maintenance. Other duties include product labeling, troubleshooting equipment issues on time to prevent delays, and completing packaging orders on time. As a packaging operator, you are also responsible for ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational policies.
Pack machine operators and packaging operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pack Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,157 | $34,269 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $43,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Reser's Fine Foods | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a pack machine operator and a packaging operator in terms of educational background:
| Pack Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pack machine operators' and packaging operators' demographics:
| Pack Machine Operator | Packaging Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.6% Female, 46.4% | Male, 59.7% Female, 40.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |