Pickling operator vs machine operator

The differences between pickling operators and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pickling operator has an average salary of $36,148, which is higher than the $32,874 average annual salary of a machine operator.

The top three skills for a pickling operator include etch, and . The most important skills for a machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Pickling operator vs machine operator overview

	Pickling Operator	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$36,148	$32,874
Hourly rate	$17.38	$15.80
Growth rate	7%	-6%
Number of jobs	26,122	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	-	-

Pickling operator vs machine operator salary

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

	Pickling Operator	Machine Operator
Average salary	$36,148	$32,874
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $53,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between pickling operator and machine operator education

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

	Pickling Operator	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Pickling operator vs machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between pickling operators' and machine operators' demographics:

	Pickling Operator	Machine Operator
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.6% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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%

Differences between pickling operator and machine operator duties and responsibilities

Pickling operator example responsibilities.

Clamp sheets and put them in a vat of hydroflouric acid solution until desire thickness is achieved.
Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Perform preventive maintenance, electronic robotic operation, pneumatic system operation, and initial quality control.
Maintain and organize production log books, charts and batch records according to industry standards and FDA regulations.

Machine operator example responsibilities.

Conduct preventative maintenance checks on industrial brake manufacturing machines and forklifts.
Follow company and safety procedures using industrial chemicals and PPE to efficiently clean and sanitize all equipment.
Operate forklift and bobcat as needed.
Run a line in a PVC pipe production plant.
Operate machinery including forklift, bobcat and various power tools.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Pickling operator vs machine operator skills

Common pickling operator skills

Etch, 100%

Common machine operator skills

Basic Math, 11%
CNC, 9%
Math, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

Updated January 8, 2025

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