Robotic machine operator vs cell operator

The differences between robotic machine operators and cell operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cell operator has an average salary of $37,866, which is higher than the $31,236 average annual salary of a robotic machine operator.

The top three skills for a robotic machine operator include program robots, calipers and CNC. The most important skills for a cell operator are hand tools, math, and quality standards.

Robotic machine operator vs cell operator overview

	Robotic Machine Operator	Cell Operator
Yearly salary	$31,236	$37,866
Hourly rate	$15.02	$18.20
Growth rate	-5%	7%
Number of jobs	61,730	66,532
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 38%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	44	43
Years of experience	-	-

Robotic machine operator vs cell operator salary

Robotic machine operators and cell operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Robotic Machine Operator	Cell Operator
Average salary	$31,236	$37,866
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $31,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	-	Bothell, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Cummins
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between robotic machine operator and cell operator education

There are a few differences between a robotic machine operator and a cell operator in terms of educational background:

	Robotic Machine Operator	Cell Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 38%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Robotic machine operator vs cell operator demographics

Here are the differences between robotic machine operators' and cell operators' demographics:

	Robotic Machine Operator	Cell Operator
Average age	44	43
Gender ratio	Male, 76.9% Female, 23.1%	Male, 68.8% Female, 31.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between robotic machine operator and cell operator duties and responsibilities

Robotic machine operator example responsibilities.

Measure parts using micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
Gain knowledge to troubleshoot mold operations and perform repairs.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on work pieces, using trace templates, compasses, and rules.

Cell operator example responsibilities.

Work with QC on parts.
Capture torque data for SPC charts.
Read and implement PC (product criteria).
Work with engineering to make specialty repair parts for hoists.
Adjust CNC machines as needed to ensure that parts are made to spec.
Assist in editing CNC programs and develop new part setups and tooling while working closely with manufacturing engineers.

Robotic machine operator vs cell operator skills

Common robotic machine operator skills

Program Robots, 22%
Calipers, 16%
CNC, 11%
Production Equipment, 10%
Quality Checks, 9%
Quality Inspection, 5%

Common cell operator skills

Hand Tools, 12%
Math, 10%
Quality Standards, 8%
CNC, 8%
Calipers, 7%
Micrometers, 6%

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Robotic Machine Operator
Robotic Machine Operator vs Cell Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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