Polishing machine operator vs machine operator

The differences between polishing machine operators and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a polishing machine operator has an average salary of $33,810, which is higher than the $32,874 average annual salary of a machine operator.

The top three skills for a polishing machine operator include safety policies, grinding wheels and machine operation. The most important skills for a machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Polishing machine operator vs machine operator overview

	Polishing Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$33,810	$32,874
Hourly rate	$16.25	$15.80
Growth rate	-8%	-6%
Number of jobs	58,159	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	2	-

Polishing machine operator vs machine operator salary

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

	Polishing Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Average salary	$33,810	$32,874
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $43,000	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 polishing machine operator and machine operator education

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

	Polishing Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Polishing machine operator vs machine operator demographics

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

	Polishing Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	6%	5%

Differences between polishing machine operator and machine operator duties and responsibilities

Polishing machine operator example responsibilities.

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.

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.

Polishing machine operator vs machine operator skills

Common polishing machine operator skills

Safety Policies, 41%
Grinding Wheels, 18%
Machine Operation, 16%
Safety Standards, 11%
Stainless Steel, 6%
Load Trucks, 3%

Common machine operator skills

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

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Polishing Machine Operator
Polishing Machine Operator vs Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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