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The differences between production associates and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line operator has an average salary of $34,520, which is higher than the $32,439 average annual salary of a production associate.
The top three skills for a production associate include basic math, customer service and math. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Production Associate | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,439 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $15.60 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 78,874 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The responsibilities of a Production Associate vary according to their chosen line of industry or work. A Production Associate is usually assigned to quality control in a Manufacturing setting, wherein they are required to oversee the process, materials, and workforce involved in each operation, ensuring they adhere to the standards and policies of the company. Furthermore, they must coordinate with other personnel or departments through daily reports, monitor the progress of activities, raise detected issues to managers, follow every protocol, and maintain necessary documentation.
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.
Production associates and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Associate | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,439 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Bunge | BD |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a production associate and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Production Associate | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between production associates' and line operators' demographics:
| Production Associate | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 5.9% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 | 9% | 5% |