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The differences between press operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a press operator has an average salary of $34,568, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for a press operator include quality standards, press machine and quality checks. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Press Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,568 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $16.62 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 55,215 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A press operator is responsible for the maintenance of printing machines and other equipment to ensure smooth operations while meeting the clients' needs with the highest quality standards. Press operators duties' include performing troubleshooting, replacing defective machine components, upgrading the systems for efficiency, analyzing blueprints and instructional guides, determining product suitability, and inspecting irregularities before and after the use of press machines. Press operators must have a comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry and the ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Press operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Press Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,568 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $42,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Westfield, MA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | ProAmpac | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a press operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Press Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between press operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Press Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |