Plastic machine operator vs molder operator

The differences between plastic machine operators and molder 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 $31,707 average annual salary of a molder operator.

The top three skills for a plastic machine operator include quality checks, CNC and provide technical assistance. The most important skills for a molder operator are GMP, quality checks, and dexterity.

Plastic machine operator vs molder operator overview

	Plastic Machine Operator	Molder Operator
Yearly salary	$31,802	$31,707
Hourly rate	$15.29	$15.24
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	58,108	66,217
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Plastic machine operator vs molder operator salary

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Molder Operator
Average salary	$31,802	$31,707
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Milford, CT
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Dart Container	BD
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between plastic machine operator and molder operator education

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Molder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Plastic machine operator vs molder operator demographics

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

	Plastic Machine Operator	Molder Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%	Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between plastic machine operator and molder 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.

Molder operator example responsibilities.

Require molding expect rate of part producing and achieving ISO QualityStandards.
Mold canoes and kayaks also flash them.
Handle all the chemicals alone with proper PPE.
Certify to run both a bobcat and forklift.
Mold plastic casting of kayaks after pop out the oven.
Work on mold presses, extrusion line making material to be mold into parts.

Plastic machine operator vs molder 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 molder operator skills

GMP, 10%
Quality Checks, 8%
Dexterity, 8%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Quality Standards, 7%
Basic Math, 6%

Plastic Machine Operator vs. similar jobs

Plastic Machine Operator related careers

Plastic Machine Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Plastic Machine Operator
Plastic Machine Operator vs Molder Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs