Robot operator vs general machine operator

The differences between robot operators and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a robot operator has an average salary of $40,298, which is higher than the $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a robot operator include quality checks, pallets and basic math. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Robot operator vs general machine operator overview

	Robot Operator	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$40,298	$32,414
Hourly rate	$19.37	$15.58
Growth rate	-5%	7%
Number of jobs	53,309	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	40	44
Years of experience	6	-

Robot operator vs general machine operator salary

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

	Robot Operator	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$40,298	$32,414
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $49,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	-	Wisconsin
Best paying company	-	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between robot operator and general machine operator education

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

	Robot Operator	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Dunwoody College of Technology	-

Robot operator vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between robot operators' and general machine operators' demographics:

	Robot Operator	General Machine Operator
Average age	40	44
Gender ratio	Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	3%	5%

Differences between robot operator and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Robot operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Place a series of parts on a series of jigs ultimately leading to a finish part i.e.
Make sure all GMP's and all company policies are follow in accordance with state and federal law.
Maintain functionality and quality of parts for medical devices and monitor robotic manufacturing machines.
Reconfigure robotic equipment to handle differing packaging and materials using both mechanical and electronic controls.
Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.

General machine operator example responsibilities.

Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Robot operator vs general machine operator skills

Common robot operator skills

Quality Checks, 13%
Pallets, 13%
Basic Math, 8%
CNC, 6%
Safety Procedures, 6%
GMP, 5%

Common general machine operator skills

Math, 12%
CNC, 10%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Troubleshoot, 9%
Production Process, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Robot Operator
Robot Operator vs General Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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