Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion mechanic

The differences between plastic extrusion operators and extrusion mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an extrusion mechanic has an average salary of $40,249, which is higher than the $38,941 average annual salary of a plastic extrusion operator.

The top three skills for a plastic extrusion operator include extrusion, hand tools and air pressure. The most important skills for an extrusion mechanic are mechanical problems, extrusion, and troubleshoot.

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion mechanic overview

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Mechanic
Yearly salary	$38,941	$40,249
Hourly rate	$18.72	$19.35
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	30,301	34,151
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion mechanic salary

Plastic extrusion operators and extrusion mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Mechanic
Average salary	$38,941	$40,249
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $48,000	Between $31,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between plastic extrusion operator and extrusion mechanic education

There are a few differences between a plastic extrusion operator and an extrusion mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	Plant Sciences
Most common college	-	-

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between plastic extrusion operators' and extrusion mechanics' demographics:

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Mechanic
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between plastic extrusion operator and extrusion mechanic duties and responsibilities

Plastic extrusion operator example responsibilities.

Manage the levels of chemicals to make sure process run correctly for making Styrofoam.
Load extruders mixers, mix color concentrates maintain color tolerances in the lab.
Verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, rulers.
Conduct tests at regular intervals using calipers, scales, and other devices to insure the part's integrity.
Perform machine setup and operate extrusion machines as well as material handling equipment
Participate in any engineering orders, samples or prototypes manufacture on any of the plastics extrusion machinery.

Extrusion mechanic example responsibilities.

Manage the levels of chemicals to make sure process run correctly for making Styrofoam.
Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Operate machine so production continuously run.

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion mechanic skills

Common plastic extrusion operator skills

Extrusion, 45%
Hand Tools, 24%
Air Pressure, 8%
Calipers, 8%
Production Data, 2%
Extruders, 2%

Common extrusion mechanic skills

Mechanical Problems, 59%
Extrusion, 24%
Troubleshoot, 10%
Safety Procedures, 7%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Plastic Extrusion Operator
Plastic Extrusion Operator vs Extrusion Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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