Pointer machine operator vs machine operator

The differences between pointer machine operators and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator has an average salary of $32,874, which is higher than the $32,149 average annual salary of a pointer machine operator.

The top three skills for a pointer machine operator include CNC, customer service and child safety. The most important skills for a machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Pointer machine operator vs machine operator overview

	Pointer Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$32,149	$32,874
Hourly rate	$15.46	$15.80
Growth rate	-8%	-6%
Number of jobs	53,655	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	45	44
Years of experience	-	-

Pointer machine operator vs machine operator salary

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

	Pointer Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Average salary	$32,149	$32,874
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between pointer machine operator and machine operator education

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

	Pointer Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Pointer machine operator vs machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between pointer machine operators' and machine operators' demographics:

	Pointer Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Average age	45	44
Gender ratio	Male, 64.8% Female, 35.2%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	3%	5%

Differences between pointer machine operator and machine operator duties and responsibilities

Pointer machine operator example responsibilities.

Assist in training POS staff on register equipment and educate on store policies.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

Machine operator example responsibilities.

Conduct preventative maintenance checks on industrial brake manufacturing machines and forklifts.
Follow company and safety procedures using industrial chemicals and PPE to efficiently clean and sanitize all equipment.
Operate forklift and bobcat as needed.
Run a line in a PVC pipe production plant.
Operate machinery including forklift, bobcat and various power tools.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Pointer machine operator vs machine operator skills

Common pointer machine operator skills

CNC, 48%
Customer Service, 35%
Child Safety, 10%
POS, 8%

Common machine operator skills

Basic Math, 11%
CNC, 9%
Math, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

Pointer Machine Operator vs. similar jobs

Pointer Machine Operator related careers

Pointer Machine Operator related jobs

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Pointer Machine Operator
Pointer Machine Operator vs Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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