Production line assembler vs line operator

The differences between production line assemblers 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 $26,875 average annual salary of a production line assembler.

The top three skills for a production line assembler include safety standards, assembly process and quality checks. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.

Production line assembler vs line operator overview

	Production Line Assembler	Line Operator
Yearly salary	$26,875	$34,520
Hourly rate	$12.92	$16.60
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	115,225	137,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Production line assembler vs line operator salary

Production line assemblers and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Production Line Assembler	Line Operator
Average salary	$26,875	$34,520
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $32,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Minnetonka, MN	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	North Dakota
Best paying company	5280	BD
Best paying industry	Automotive	Manufacturing

Differences between production line assembler and line operator education

There are a few differences between a production line assembler and a line operator in terms of educational background:

	Production Line Assembler	Line Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Production line assembler vs line operator demographics

Here are the differences between production line assemblers' and line operators' demographics:

	Production Line Assembler	Line Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 56.0% Female, 44.0%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 55.5% 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	5%	5%

Differences between production line assembler and line operator duties and responsibilities

Production line assembler example responsibilities.

Achieve enhancement in shop math: trigonometry, compound angles, and geometry.
Utilize power tools under ISO policy procedures.
Perform various assembly, sub-assembly, and or packaging operation in a production area requiring general physical dexterity.
Assemble and package disposable plastic hospital products, such as hypodermic syringes, catheters and intravenous apparatus.

Line operator example responsibilities.

Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
Weld various models of Honda car seats.
Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.

Production line assembler vs line operator skills

Common production line assembler skills

Safety Standards, 25%
Assembly Process, 19%
Quality Checks, 7%
Quality Standards, 5%
Safety Guidelines, 5%
RAN, 3%

Common line operator skills

Preventative Maintenance, 12%
PPE, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Extrusion, 8%
Quality Checks, 7%
Assembly Line, 5%

Production Line Assembler vs. similar jobs

Production Line Assembler related careers

Production Line Assembler related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Production Line Assembler
Production Line Assembler vs Line Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs