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Assembly line operator salary
Average assembly line operator salary
$15.18
Average Assembly Line Operator Salary Overview
The average salary for an assembly line operator is approximately $31,567 per year, translating to about $15 per hour. Salaries for assembly line operators can fluctuate significantly based on factors like location, experience, and the specific industry. For instance, operators in higher-paying industries such as automotive manufacturing often earn more than those in food processing.
State and City Salaries
The salary varies by state, with some states offering higher wages due to demand and cost of living. States like Washington and California typically feature higher average salaries. Major cities also present better pay opportunities; for instance, assembly line operators in Detroit may earn more compared to those in smaller towns.
Career Advancement and Opportunities
Experience plays a vital role in salary progression. Entry-level positions may start lower, but with time and skill enhancement, operators can move into supervisory or specialized roles that command higher pay. Exploring different industries and geographic areas can also uncover lucrative opportunities, making it essential for job seekers to stay informed about market trends.
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Where can an Assembly Line Operator earn more?
Average assembly line operator salary by state
The average assembly line operator salary in Alaska, Maine, and Oregon are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average assembly line operator salary states are Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for assembly line operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $41,246 | $19.83 |
| 2 | Maine | $39,426 | $18.95 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $37,271 | $17.92 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $35,041 | $16.85 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $33,856 | $16.28 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $36,146 | $17.38 |
| 8 | Oregon | $37,622 | $18.09 |
| 9 | Indiana | $31,626 | $15.20 |
| 10 | Michigan | $33,578 | $16.14 |
| 11 | Iowa | $31,743 | $15.26 |
| 12 | Ohio | $30,825 | $14.82 |
| 13 | Washington | $36,669 | $17.63 |
| 14 | Illinois | $32,864 | $15.80 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $32,701 | $15.72 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $31,078 | $14.94 |
| 17 | Idaho | $32,530 | $15.64 |
| 18 | Utah | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| 19 | Montana | $34,573 | $16.62 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $32,839 | $15.79 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $32,403 | $15.58 |
| 22 | Vermont | $33,709 | $16.21 |
| 23 | California | $33,285 | $16.00 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $28,473 | $13.69 |
| 25 | Missouri | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $29,006 | $13.95 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $26,710 | $12.84 |
| 28 | Nevada | $29,708 | $14.28 |
| 29 | Arizona | $29,678 | $14.27 |
| 30 | Colorado | $30,462 | $14.65 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $29,258 | $14.07 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $28,883 | $13.89 |
| 33 | New York | $31,057 | $14.93 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $29,067 | $13.97 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $26,173 | $12.58 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $25,985 | $12.49 |
| 37 | Maryland | $29,965 | $14.41 |
| 38 | Kansas | $26,315 | $12.65 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $26,221 | $12.61 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $25,091 | $12.06 |
| 41 | Delaware | $28,505 | $13.70 |
| 42 | Virginia | $28,567 | $13.73 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $26,186 | $12.59 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $26,769 | $12.87 |
| 45 | Texas | $24,802 | $11.92 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $24,958 | $12.00 |
| 47 | Georgia | $23,231 | $11.17 |
| 48 | Florida | $23,503 | $11.30 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | $26,318 | $12.65 |
| 50 | Alabama | $24,172 | $11.62 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $22,483 | $10.81 |
Highest paying cities for assembly line operators
The highest-paying cities for assembly line operators are Sterling Heights, MI, Garden Grove, CA, and Georgetown, KY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sterling Heights, MI | $33,782 | $16.24 |
| 2 | Garden Grove, CA | $32,517 | $15.63 |
| 3 | Georgetown, KY | $28,595 | $13.75 |
| 4 | Cookeville, TN | $26,889 | $12.93 |
| 5 | Wichita, KS | $26,067 | $12.53 |
| 6 | Columbia, SC | $25,306 | $12.17 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $24,906 | $11.97 |
| 8 | Orlando, FL | $23,566 | $11.33 |
Assembly line operator salary details
An assembly line operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an assembly line operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,567 | $2,631 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying assembly line operator jobs
The highest paying types of assembly line operators are operator, cell operator, and assembly leader.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Team Member | $28,768 | $2,397 | $13.83 | 228,024 |
| Production Assembler | $31,611 | $2,634 | $15.20 | 73,933 |
| Generator Assembler | $28,360 | $2,363 | $13.63 | 22,568 |
| Line Up Worker | $27,868 | $2,322 | $13.40 | 78,644 |
| Line Assembler | $27,319 | $2,277 | $13.13 | 72,345 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
Top companies hiring assembly line operators now:
Which companies pay assembly line operators the most?
Assembly line operator salaries at Andersen and Saint-Gobain are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average assembly line operator salary at companies like Novolex and Kelly Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andersen | $38,411 | $18.47 |
| 2 | Saint-Gobain | $33,374 | $16.05 |
| 3 | Novolex | $32,211 | $15.49 |
| 4 | Kelly Services | $31,149 | $14.98 |
| 5 | Rehrig Pacific | $30,750 | $14.78 |
| 6 | Aerotek | $30,194 | $14.52 |
| 7 | Caliper Family of Companies | $30,027 | $14.44 |
| 8 | ManpowerGroup | $29,993 | $14.42 |
| 9 | Automation Personnel Services | $28,458 | $13.68 |
| 10 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $28,126 | $13.52 |
| 11 | NESCO | $28,012 | $13.47 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Assembly Line Operator salary by industry
The average assembly line operator salary varies across industries:
- The average assembly line operator salary in the automotive industry is $34,867, the highest of any industry.
- The average assembly line operator salary in the finance industry is $34,290.
- Assembly line operators in the professional industry earn an average salary of $32,000, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for assembly line operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $34,867 | $16.76 |
| 2 | Technology | $34,290 | $16.49 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $32,939 | $15.84 |
| 4 | Professional | $32,000 | $15.38 |
High paying assembly line operator jobs
Assembly line operator salary trends
The average assembly line operator salary has risen by $6,034 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average assembly line operator earned $25,533 annually, but today, they earn $31,567 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for assembly line operators over the last decade.
Compare assembly line operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average assembly line operator salary over time
Compare assembly line operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Assembly line operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,600 | $15.18 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $30,400 | $14.63 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $29,600 | $14.24 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $28,800 | $13.82 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $27,900 | $13.42 | +3.3% |
Recently added assembly line operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer's Fridge | Food Production-Assembly Line Operator I | Chicago, IL | 06/26/2025 | $34,018 |
| Saint-Gobain | Assembly Line Operator I-2Nd Shift-Mobility; Sekurit | Huntington Beach, CA | 06/07/2025 | $35,479 |
| Bonfiglioli Usa | Experienced Mechanical Assembly Line Operator, 3Rd Shift | Hebron, KY | 05/10/2025 | $48,001 |
| Saint-Gobain Corporation | Assembly Line Operator I-1St. Shift; Mobility-Sekurit | Huntington Beach, CA | 04/23/2025 | $35,479 |
| Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions | Assembly Operative, Gas Line | Bay Minette, AL | 04/17/2025 | $31,305 |
| Manpowergroup | 3Rd Shift Assembly Line Operator | Huntington Beach, CA | 03/25/2025 | $36,523 |
| CRH Plc | Assembly Line Operator-2Nd Shift | Hector, MN | 03/21/2025 | $41,740 |
| Bonfiglioli Usa | Mechanical Assembly Line Operator, 3Rd Shift | Hebron, KY | 01/23/2025 | $41,740 |
| Kelly Services | Assembly Line Operator | Greensburg, IN | 01/22/2025 | $44,453 |
| CRH Plc | Assembly Line Operator-1St. Shift | Hector, MN | 01/15/2025 | $41,740 |
Assembly line operator salary FAQs
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