Machine Operator vs Production Associate
Pay, skills and open jobs side by side, from current job postings across the US.
Pay
Machine Operator
$45,800 typical, a year
Most Machine Operators earn $41,600 to $52,000 a year.
From 2,578 postings that list pay
12,493 open jobs now
Production Associate
$42,600 typical, a year
Most Production Associates earn $37,400 to $48,200 a year.
From 1,320 postings that list pay
7,414 open jobs now
Machine Operators typically earn about $3,100 more a year than Production Associates.
What each one does
Machine Operator
- Operate and monitor production equipment to ensure it runs properly.
- Perform quality checks on products and record the results.
- Follow safety rules and keep the work area clean.
- Set up machines and change settings for different jobs.
- Load and unload materials during the production process.
- Report problems with equipment or products to supervisors.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Production Associate
- Follow safety protocols and wear required personal protective equipment.
- Clean equipment, work areas, and production facilities.
- Inspect products for quality and remove defective items.
- Pack finished products into boxes or onto pallets.
- Operate production machinery and equipment.
- Complete paperwork and record production data.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Skills employers ask for
Machine Operator
Asked for in both
- Production Operations 1 in 10 postings
- Manufacturing 1 in 10 postings
- PPE Usage 1 in 10 postings
- Production Equipment 1 in 10 postings
- Forklift Operation 1 in 10 postings
- Quality Control 1 in 10 postings
More common in Machine Operator postings
- Calipers 1 in 10 postings
- Blueprint Reading 1 in 10 postings
- Quality Standards 1 in 15 postings
Production Associate
Asked for in both
- Production Operations 2 in 10 postings
- Manufacturing 1 in 10 postings
- PPE Usage 1 in 10 postings
- Production Equipment 1 in 10 postings
- Forklift Operation 1 in 10 postings
- Quality Control 1 in 15 postings
More common in Production Associate postings
- GMP 1 in 10 postings
- Material Handling 1 in 10 postings
- Food Safety 1 in 10 postings
Out of each role's current postings.
Open jobs
Machine Operator
2nd & 3rd shift Machine Technicians
Reliable Temps$18 - $26/hr Employer statedEast LongmeadowSAPMaterial HandlingSlittingCNC Machining MaintenanceMachine Operator/Assembler
Reliable Temps$18/hr Employer statedWest SpringfieldEquipment MaintenanceMachine Operator
Live ComfortablyPay not stated Martinsville, VA, 24112Bill of MaterialsLockout/Tagout
Production Associate
Production Worker
Masco$16.75 - $20.02/hr Employer statedSanta Ana, California, United States of AmericaMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP)Data EntryMicrosoft Office +4- Pay not stated Lapeer, Michigan, United States of AmericaPPE UsageMaterial HandlingMaterial Handling EquipmentPlasticsInventory Management +1
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