Plastics fabricator vs fabrication operator

The differences between plastics fabricators and fabrication operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plastics fabricator has an average salary of $33,585, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a fabrication operator.

The top three skills for a plastics fabricator include extrusion, hand tools and fiberglass. The most important skills for a fabrication operator are tape measure, hand tools, and calipers.

Plastics fabricator vs fabrication operator overview

	Plastics Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Yearly salary	$33,585	$31,772
Hourly rate	$16.15	$15.28
Growth rate	-11%	-5%
Number of jobs	2,028	56,825
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Plastics fabricator vs fabrication operator salary

Plastics fabricators and fabrication operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Plastics Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Average salary	$33,585	$31,772
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $43,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Chaska, MN	Mankato, MN
Highest paying state	North Dakota	North Dakota
Best paying company	Graco	Sanmina
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between plastics fabricator and fabrication operator education

There are a few differences between a plastics fabricator and a fabrication operator in terms of educational background:

	Plastics Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Plastics fabricator vs fabrication operator demographics

Here are the differences between plastics fabricators' and fabrication operators' demographics:

	Plastics Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 84.1% Female, 15.9%	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 8.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between plastics fabricator and fabrication operator duties and responsibilities

Plastics fabricator example responsibilities.

Fabricate fiberglass piping, use tape measure, see, forklifts.
Assist with wet layup fiberglass repair as well as resin infusion projects to restore composite components on naval vessels.
Glass glazing/commercial aluminum window panel fabrication
Install thermal plastic parts into tools for bond in autoclaves.
Glass glazing/commercial aluminum window panel fabrication

Fabrication operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate with engineers and supervisor for setting up Amada press brake, forming sheet metal chassis and parts for productions.
Operate any coil fabrication machine producing aluminum coils.
Monitor, control and operate computerized wafer equipment for the inspection, etching or alignment of integrate circuits.
Perform duties in accordance with GMP principles.
Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.

Plastics fabricator vs fabrication operator skills

Common plastics fabricator skills

Extrusion, 37%
Hand Tools, 20%
Fiberglass, 13%
Customer Service, 4%
PVC, 4%
Sketch, 3%

Common fabrication operator skills

Tape Measure, 12%
Hand Tools, 9%
Calipers, 7%
Grinders, 6%
MIG, 5%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%

Plastics Fabricator vs. similar jobs

Plastics Fabricator related careers

Plastics Fabricator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Plastics Fabricator
Plastics Fabricator vs Fabrication Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs