Pharmaceutical operator vs handle machine operator

The differences between pharmaceutical operators and handle machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pharmaceutical operator has an average salary of $38,260, which is higher than the $29,598 average annual salary of a handle machine operator.

The top three skills for a pharmaceutical operator include FDA, GMP and safety procedures. The most important skills for a handle machine operator are forklifts, cranes, and production lines.

Pharmaceutical operator vs handle machine operator overview

	Pharmaceutical Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$38,260	$29,598
Hourly rate	$18.39	$14.23
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	54,270	110,258
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Pharmaceutical operator vs handle machine operator salary

Pharmaceutical operators and handle machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pharmaceutical Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Average salary	$38,260	$29,598
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $49,000	Between $23,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	-	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	-	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	-	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between pharmaceutical operator and handle machine operator education

There are a few differences between a pharmaceutical operator and a handle machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Pharmaceutical Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Pharmaceutical operator vs handle machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between pharmaceutical operators' and handle machine operators' demographics:

	Pharmaceutical Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 27.2% Asian, 6.3% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between pharmaceutical operator and handle machine operator duties and responsibilities

Pharmaceutical operator example responsibilities.

Manage the receipt and tracking of control substances as well as the DEA biennial inspection.
Perform a variety of highly skil manufacturing tasks involving the processing of pharmaceutical products in a GMP control facility.
Request QA approvals and releases.
Comply with safety by wearing appropriate PPE.
Partner with in-house workers on PLC issues relate to machinery.
Compress various pharmaceutical granulations into tablets meeting all FDA specifications.

Handle machine operator example responsibilities.

Operate CNC to manufacture table tops, end tables, desks, and other products.
Produce machined parts by programming, setting up and operation a computer numerical control CNC machine.
Document lens specifications according to FDA regulations.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Pharmaceutical operator vs handle machine operator skills

Common pharmaceutical operator skills

FDA, 25%
GMP, 20%
Safety Procedures, 9%
Line Clearance, 6%
Pharmaceutical Products, 6%
QA, 5%

Common handle machine operator skills

Forklifts, 13%
Cranes, 13%
Production Lines, 13%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Customer Orders, 8%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Pharmaceutical Operator
Pharmaceutical Operator vs Handle Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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