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The differences between process operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a process operator has an average salary of $37,996, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for a process operator include safety procedures, preventative maintenance and team-oriented environment. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Process Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $37,996 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $18.27 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 83,478 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A process operator's role is to supervise all production operations in a manufacturing plant or similar setting. To ensure the efficiency and safety of the workforce and the workload, a process operator must regularly conduct inspections on the manufacturing processes and provide an assessment of the employees' progress. There are also duties that involve producing reports and presentations, keeping and updating data, performing audits, and managing work schedules. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone, all while adhering and implementing the policies and regulations of the company.
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.
Process operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $37,996 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BWX Technologies | BD |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a process operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Process Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between process operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Process Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 46 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 6% | 5% |