Packager vs general machine operator

The differences between packagers and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general machine operator has an average salary of $32,414, which is higher than the $31,506 average annual salary of a packager.

The top three skills for a packager include basic math, package product and work ethic. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Packager vs general machine operator overview

	Packager	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$31,506	$32,414
Hourly rate	$15.15	$15.58
Growth rate	6%	7%
Number of jobs	3,674	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Packager vs general machine operator salary

Packagers and general machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Packager	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$31,506	$32,414
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $45,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Plymouth, MN	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Wisconsin
Best paying company	McGuireWoods	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between packager and general machine operator education

There are a few differences between a packager and a general machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Packager	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Packager vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between packagers' and general machine operators' demographics:

	Packager	General Machine Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 52.3% Female, 47.7%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between packager and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Packager example responsibilities.

Create PowerShell scripts to manage installations.
Create, customize, automate software installation of applications using WiseStudio / InstallShield by VMware.
Comply with applicable FDA, OSHA and Abbott/Ross regulations, policies, procedures or guidelines.
Experience on MSI, MST (transforms), MSM (merge modules), MSP (patches).
Assemble kits.vials, and syringes.
Train on OSHA quality control/food safety.

General machine operator example responsibilities.

Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Packager vs general machine operator skills

Common packager skills

Basic Math, 11%
Package Product, 10%
Work Ethic, 10%
Pallets, 9%
Math, 8%
Defective Products, 7%

Common general machine operator skills

Math, 12%
CNC, 10%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Troubleshoot, 9%
Production Process, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%