Sterilizer operator vs manufacturing operator

The differences between sterilizer operators and manufacturing operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a sterilizer operator and a manufacturing operator. Additionally, a sterilizer operator has an average salary of $39,198, which is higher than the $34,457 average annual salary of a manufacturing operator.

The top three skills for a sterilizer operator include sops, sterilizers and GMP. The most important skills for a manufacturing operator are basic math, GMP, and math.

Sterilizer operator vs manufacturing operator overview

	Sterilizer Operator	Manufacturing Operator
Yearly salary	$39,198	$34,457
Hourly rate	$18.85	$16.57
Growth rate	7%	2%
Number of jobs	30,721	97,656
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	43	46
Years of experience	2	2

Sterilizer operator vs manufacturing operator salary

Sterilizer operators and manufacturing operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sterilizer Operator	Manufacturing Operator
Average salary	$39,198	$34,457
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $49,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	Fort Collins, CO
Highest paying state	-	Wyoming
Best paying company	-	DuPont
Best paying industry	-	Pharmaceutical

Differences between sterilizer operator and manufacturing operator education

There are a few differences between a sterilizer operator and a manufacturing operator in terms of educational background:

	Sterilizer Operator	Manufacturing Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	Stanford University

Sterilizer operator vs manufacturing operator demographics

Here are the differences between sterilizer operators' and manufacturing operators' demographics:

	Sterilizer Operator	Manufacturing Operator
Average age	43	46
Gender ratio	Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7%	Male, 69.2% Female, 30.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 9.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between sterilizer operator and manufacturing operator duties and responsibilities

Sterilizer operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate logistics for chemical supply, supervise personnel and manage shift changes.
Sterilize and move medical supplies in accordance with GMP, FDA and EPA requirements.
Follow GMP's to comply with FDA, EPA, DEA, and other regulators requirements.
Load and unload freeze dryers.
Assist in repairs and CIP of equipment.
Operate sterilizers ensuring that all controls and printouts are working properly.

Manufacturing operator example responsibilities.

Manage multiple large volume fermentation tanks simultaneously.
Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Prepare, coats and finishes metal and/or other surfaces.
Work inside sterile production room, class 10,000 and ISO 9000.
Experience and certify in handling chemicals with proper PPE acid gear.
Follow ISO work instructions to manufacture and convert high quality polishing pads.

Sterilizer operator vs manufacturing operator skills

Common sterilizer operator skills

Sops, 12%
Sterilizers, 10%
GMP, 9%
CIP, 7%
APA, 7%
Data Entry, 7%

Common manufacturing operator skills

Basic Math, 8%
GMP, 8%
Math, 7%
Hand Tools, 6%
Lean Manufacturing, 5%
Safety Rules, 4%

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Sterilizer Operator
Sterilizer Operator vs Manufacturing Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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