Packaging technician vs general machine operator

The differences between packaging technicians and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a packaging technician has an average salary of $35,973, which is higher than the $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a packaging technician include basic math, GMP and math. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Packaging technician vs general machine operator overview

	Packaging Technician	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$35,973	$32,414
Hourly rate	$17.29	$15.58
Growth rate	3%	7%
Number of jobs	64,859	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Packaging technician vs general machine operator salary

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

	Packaging Technician	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$35,973	$32,414
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $44,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Moorhead, MN	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	Minnesota	Wisconsin
Best paying company	Dairy Farmers of America	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Finance

Differences between packaging technician and general machine operator education

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

	Packaging Technician	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Packaging technician vs general machine operator demographics

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

	Packaging Technician	General Machine Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.4% White, 59.6% 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 packaging technician and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Packaging technician example responsibilities.

Perform machining, including but not limit to components using mills, lathes and surface grinders to accomplish repairs.
Complete accurate and timely documentation to comply with FDA and GMP regulations
Operate equipment in compliance with company and OSHA standards.
Team member of various over-the-counter lines to prepare package from pill form to truck-ready, with respect to FDA requirements.
Package pharmaceuticals, maintain a sterile environment and ensure OSHA standards, work in the clean room and freezer areas.
Conduct maintenance to material grinders.

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.

Packaging technician vs general machine operator skills

Common packaging technician skills

Basic Math, 8%
GMP, 7%
Math, 7%
Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
Data Entry, 5%

Common general machine operator skills

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

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Packaging Technician
Packaging Technician vs General Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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