Senior machine operator vs line operator

The differences between senior machine operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior machine operator has an average salary of $40,353, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.

The top three skills for a senior machine operator include hand tools, CNC and quality standards. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.

Senior machine operator vs line operator overview

	Senior Machine Operator	Line Operator
Yearly salary	$40,353	$34,520
Hourly rate	$19.40	$16.60
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	74,352	137,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Senior machine operator vs line operator salary

Senior machine operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Senior Machine Operator	Line Operator
Average salary	$40,353	$34,520
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $64,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between senior machine operator and line operator education

There are a few differences between a senior machine operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:

	Senior Machine Operator	Line Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Senior machine operator vs line operator demographics

Here are the differences between senior machine operators' and line operators' demographics:

	Senior Machine Operator	Line Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 59.3% 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	5%	5%

Differences between senior machine operator and line operator duties and responsibilities

Senior machine operator example responsibilities.

Manage and troubleshoot a variety of different heavy machinery.
Monitor department personnel to ensure SQF, SOPP, HACCP and GMP's are follow.
Lift work pieces to machines manually, using hoists, and with cranes.
Perform all extrusion line set ups, changeovers, start-ups, and continuous operations.
operate hydraulic hoists /machinery that make an electronic circuit board
Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.

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.

Senior machine operator vs line operator skills

Common senior machine operator skills

Hand Tools, 16%
CNC, 9%
Quality Standards, 6%
Machine Operators, 6%
Safety Procedures, 5%
PPE, 5%

Common line operator skills

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

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Senior Machine Operator
Senior Machine Operator vs Line Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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