Plastic machine operator vs handle machine operator

The differences between plastic machine operators and handle machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plastic machine operator has an average salary of $31,802, which is higher than the $29,598 average annual salary of a handle machine operator.

The top three skills for a plastic machine operator include quality checks, CNC and provide technical assistance. The most important skills for a handle machine operator are forklifts, cranes, and production lines.

Plastic machine operator vs handle machine operator overview

	Plastic Machine Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$31,802	$29,598
Hourly rate	$15.29	$14.23
Growth rate	-5%	7%
Number of jobs	58,108	110,258
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	45	44
Years of experience	-	-

Plastic machine operator vs handle machine operator salary

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Average salary	$31,802	$29,598
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $23,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Redwood City, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	Dart Container	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between plastic machine operator and handle machine operator education

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Plastic machine operator vs handle machine operator demographics

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Handle Machine Operator
Average age	45	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%	Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	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	3%	5%

Differences between plastic machine operator and handle machine operator duties and responsibilities

Plastic machine operator example responsibilities.

Assist in color die changes for use in maintaining plastic extrusion machines.
Operate pallet jacks and heavy machinery assembling bolts and nuts into car parts for Honda.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Participate in technical support and assist validation and QA department during equipment validation.

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.

Plastic machine operator vs handle machine operator skills

Common plastic machine operator skills

Quality Checks, 19%
CNC, 12%
Provide Technical Assistance, 11%
Mold Components, 9%
Lean Manufacturing, 8%
Safety Procedures, 6%

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
Plastic Machine Operator
Plastic Machine Operator vs Handle Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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