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Packaging associate vs relief operator

The differences between packaging associates and relief operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a relief operator has an average salary of $42,693, which is higher than the $31,519 average annual salary of a packaging associate.

The top three skills for a packaging associate include pallets, defective products and basic math. The most important skills for a relief operator are food safety, CIP, and PPE.

Packaging associate vs relief operator overview

Packaging AssociateRelief Operator
Yearly salary$31,519$42,693
Hourly rate$15.15$20.53
Growth rate-3%7%
Number of jobs40,17964,469
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a packaging associate do?

Packaging associates are skilled employees who are responsible for wrapping material around consumer items. This serves to protect and clean products, making them marketable. These associates must perform maintenance on the packaging equipment to ensure that they are running efficiently with minimal downtime. They must inspect completed products for defects and abnormalities to satisfy their customers. Packaging associates must also communicate with technicians and supervisors to rectify problems and ensure that the products are with standards and following their customers' requirements.

What does a relief operator do?

A relief operator job depends on the institution or organization. Their main jobs include examining, measuring, and weighing materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales. Their additional responsibilities include maintaining regular contact and communication with customers to resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.

Packaging associate vs relief operator salary

Packaging associates and relief operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Packaging AssociateRelief Operator
Average salary$31,519$42,693
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $39,000Between $36,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAHutchinson, KS
Highest paying stateWashingtonKansas
Best paying companyPepsiCoNestlé
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalEnergy

Differences between packaging associate and relief operator education

There are a few differences between a packaging associate and a relief operator in terms of educational background:

Packaging AssociateRelief Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Packaging associate vs relief operator demographics

Here are the differences between packaging associates' and relief operators' demographics:

Packaging AssociateRelief Operator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 57.9% Female, 42.1%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between packaging associate and relief operator duties and responsibilities

Packaging associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage the receipt and tracking of control substances as well as the DEA biennial inspection.
  • Assemble sterile syringes for shipping.
  • Collect required samples for QA testing.
  • Pack customers' groceries in a neat and orderly fashion.
  • Train many employees on various lines adhering to FDA /DEA prodigal.
  • Assist with cleaning and servicing operations in a DEA and FDA regulate.
  • Show more

Relief operator example responsibilities.

  • Run and maintain production machinery while following all company GMP's and safety policies.
  • Utilize chemicals for clean-ups, always following MSDS instructions and wearing proper PPE at all times.
  • Perform work in specialize chemical/acid resistant PPE with SCBA, chemical resistant heat suits, inline air and escape packs.
  • Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.
  • Perform routine verification of equipment when unloading autoclaves and setting up aseptic filling machines.

Packaging associate vs relief operator skills

Common packaging associate skills
  • Pallets, 8%
  • Defective Products, 7%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Quality Issues, 5%
  • Quality Products, 5%
Common relief operator skills
  • Food Safety, 18%
  • CIP, 11%
  • PPE, 7%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • CDL, 6%

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