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The differences between packaging technicians and line 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 $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for a packaging technician include basic math, GMP and math. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Packaging Technician | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,973 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $17.29 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 64,859 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A packaging technician is responsible for planning the packaging design of various products, creating attractive outputs by utilizing software tools and applications, and ensuring that the deliverables adhere to the product's features. Packaging technicians generate new designs according to market trends and public demands. They discuss their product samples to the management team and adjust plans based on the requirements and suggestions. A packaging technician also considers the sales performance of the products to develop outputs that show high innovations, attracting customers to purchase the items, and generating more resources for revenues.
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Packaging technicians and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Packaging Technician | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,973 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $44,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Moorhead, MN | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Dairy Farmers of America | BD |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a packaging technician and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Packaging Technician | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between packaging technicians' and line operators' demographics:
| Packaging Technician | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.9% Female, 37.1% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| 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, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |