Plastic machine operator vs line operator

The differences between plastic machine operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line operator has an average salary of $34,520, which is higher than the $31,802 average annual salary of a plastic 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 line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.

Plastic machine operator vs line operator overview

	Plastic Machine Operator	Line Operator
Yearly salary	$31,802	$34,520
Hourly rate	$15.29	$16.60
Growth rate	-5%	7%
Number of jobs	58,108	137,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	45	44
Years of experience	-	-

Plastic machine operator vs line operator salary

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Line Operator
Average salary	$31,802	$34,520
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	North Dakota
Best paying company	Dart Container	BD
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between plastic machine operator and line operator education

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Line Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Plastic machine operator vs line operator demographics

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Line Operator
Average age	45	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	3%	5%

Differences between plastic machine operator and line 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.

Line operator example responsibilities.

Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
Weld various models of Honda car seats.
Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.

Plastic machine operator vs line 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 line operator skills

Preventative Maintenance, 12%
PPE, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Extrusion, 8%
Quality Checks, 7%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Plastic Machine Operator
Plastic Machine Operator vs Line Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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