Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion operator

The differences between plastic extrusion operators and extrusion operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plastic extrusion operator has an average salary of $38,941, which is higher than the $36,571 average annual salary of an 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 operator are extrusion, hand tools, and math.

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion operator overview

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Operator
Yearly salary	$38,941	$36,571
Hourly rate	$18.72	$17.58
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	30,301	58,622
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion operator salary

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

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Operator
Average salary	$38,941	$36,571
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $48,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Minnetonka, MN
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between plastic extrusion operator and extrusion operator education

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

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion operator demographics

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

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Extrusion Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
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 operator 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 operator example responsibilities.

Manage the levels of chemicals to make sure process run correctly for making Styrofoam.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Extrude automotive parts according to ISO standards.
Start operations by inserting data into CNC control units.
Set up and operate equipment to produce food contact grade PVC plastic film.
Mount rolls of base material on machine spindles for automatic feed through machines.

Plastic extrusion operator vs extrusion operator skills

Common plastic extrusion operator skills

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

Common extrusion operator skills

Extrusion, 21%
Hand Tools, 6%
Math, 5%
Quality Checks, 5%
Extrusion Machine, 4%
Safety Procedures, 4%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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