Plastic extrusion operator vs injection molder

The differences between plastic extrusion operators and injection molders 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 $32,151 average annual salary of an injection molder.

The top three skills for a plastic extrusion operator include extrusion, hand tools and air pressure. The most important skills for an injection molder are injection molds, plastic injection, and ISO.

Plastic extrusion operator vs injection molder overview

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Injection Molder
Yearly salary	$38,941	$32,151
Hourly rate	$18.72	$15.46
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	30,301	1,225
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	-	-

Plastic extrusion operator vs injection molder salary

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

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Injection Molder
Average salary	$38,941	$32,151
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $48,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Loveland, CO
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between plastic extrusion operator and injection molder education

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

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Injection Molder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Plastic extrusion operator vs injection molder demographics

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

	Plastic Extrusion Operator	Injection Molder
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%	Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between plastic extrusion operator and injection molder 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.

Injection molder example responsibilities.

Require molding expect rate of part producing and achieving ISO QualityStandards.
Design injection mold tooling; extensive CNC programming and machining.
Work with Chrysler engineers on the original design of vacuum harnesses.
Operate 10 semi-automatic extrusion machines from 75 to 300 tons and maintain control charts for statistical analysis.
Demonstrate efficient manual dexterity at a rapid and continuous rate.
Spray molds with compounds of lubricate molds, using acetylene torches.

Plastic extrusion operator vs injection molder skills

Common plastic extrusion operator skills

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

Common injection molder skills

Injection Molds, 29%
Plastic Injection, 21%
ISO, 6%
SPC, 6%
Machine Operation, 5%
Assembly Line, 4%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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