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The differences between warehouse machine operators and warehouse associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a warehouse machine operator has an average salary of $33,796, which is higher than the $32,863 average annual salary of a warehouse associate.
The top three skills for a warehouse machine operator include basic math, safety regulations and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a warehouse associate are pallets, work ethic, and customer service.
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Warehouse Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $33,796 | $32,863 |
| Hourly rate | $16.25 | $15.80 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 229,051 | 215,910 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Average age | 43 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
Warehouse machine operators perform various tasks for their employers. These include setting up, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting machinery, inspecting parts for specifications and any potential damage, and reading and interpreting diagrams and blueprints to position and secure the machines. They are expected to communicate with other team members and provide support for continuous production. Most employers are looking to hire someone with knowledge of production and safety procedures, previous experience as a machine operator, and analytical skills.
Warehouse associates are employees who take on any task needed at the company warehouse. They receive incoming deliveries, store the items in their proper places, scan the items to log them into the company system, manage stocks and inventory, conduct product inspection to check for damages or defects, and maintain the overall cleanliness of the warehouse. Warehouse associates are also responsible for receiving purchase orders, assembling and packing products related to orders, checking the accuracy of the products relative to the order, and ensuring proper shipment of the products.
Warehouse machine operators and warehouse associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Warehouse Associate | |
| Average salary | $33,796 | $32,863 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $41,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fridley, MN | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Uline |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a warehouse machine operator and a warehouse associate in terms of educational background:
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Warehouse Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between warehouse machine operators' and warehouse associates' demographics:
| Warehouse Machine Operator | Warehouse Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7% | Male, 73.7% Female, 26.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |