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The differences between packagers and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator has an average salary of $32,874, 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 machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.
| Packager | Machine Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $31,506 | $32,874 |
| Hourly rate | $15.15 | $15.80 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 3,674 | 96,834 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Packagers are skilled employees who place completed products into containers and prepare them for shipment by weighing and labeling each package. As the final checkpoints between buyer and manufacturer, packagers must ensure that items are in proper working order as well as discard defective items according to company procedures. They must perform quality control and assist team leaders to verify that all quality standards of all products are being maintained. Packagers must also follow the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) packing guidelines to ensure the safety of workers and the facility.
Machine operators are responsible for managing the machines assigned to them. They set up, install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure quality output. Machine operators must know the inner workings of the machine such that they can easily address any problems that may arise. They must ensure that all components of the machine are working well. They perform maintenance routine checks to ensure that the machine is working at the most efficient capacity, is well-stocked with needed materials, and producing the best output. Machine operators are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation of the machine.
Packagers and machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Packager | Machine Operator | |
| Average salary | $31,506 | $32,874 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $45,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Plymouth, MN | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | McGuireWoods | BD |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a packager and a machine operator in terms of educational background:
| Packager | Machine Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 49% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between packagers' and machine operators' demographics:
| Packager | Machine Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.3% Female, 47.7% | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |