Machine Operator vs Quality Inspector
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 2,667 postings that list pay
13,361 open jobs now
Quality Inspector
$55,000 typical, a year
Most Quality Inspectors earn $46,800 to $69,700 a year.
From 1,431 postings that list pay
6,192 open jobs now
Quality Inspectors typically earn about $9,200 more a year than Machine Operators.
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
Quality Inspector
- Inspect parts, materials, and products to ensure they meet quality standards.
- Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and technical specifications.
- Record inspection results and maintain accurate quality documentation.
- Identify, document, and communicate nonconforming materials and products.
- Collaborate with production teams to resolve quality issues.
- Perform routine inspections using manual and digital measurement equipment.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Skills employers ask for
Machine Operator
Asked for in both
- High School Diploma 4 in 10 postings
- Calipers 1 in 10 postings
- Blueprint Reading 1 in 10 postings
- Quality Control 1 in 10 postings
More common in Machine Operator postings
- 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 Standards 1 in 15 postings
Quality Inspector
Asked for in both
- High School Diploma 4 in 10 postings
- Calipers 2 in 10 postings
- Blueprint Reading 2 in 10 postings
- Quality Control 3 in 10 postings
More common in Quality Inspector postings
- Microsoft Office 3 in 10 postings
- Microsoft Excel 2 in 10 postings
- Equipment Inspection 2 in 10 postings
- Quality Assurance 2 in 10 postings
- Micrometer 1 in 10 postings
- Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing 1 in 10 postings
Out of each role's current postings.
Open jobs
Machine Operator
Machine Operator (C) - 1st Shift
Barnes GroupPay not stated West Chester, OH OnsiteCalipersPrecision MeasuringCNC MachiningMicrometerGrinding- Pay not stated Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States of AmericaCNC MachiningCapacitorsSwitchgear
- Pay not stated Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States of AmericaCapacitorsSwitchgear
Quality Inspector
QC Grid Inspector
Westinghouse Electric Company$20/hr Employer statedHopkins, SC, US, 29061Shipping DocumentsQuality Control Inspector/CMM Programmer (1st Shift)
Barnes Group$23 - $40/hr Employer statedEast Hartford, CT OnsiteGeometric Dimensioning & TolerancingCMMSBlueprint ReadingMicrometerPrecision MeasuringInspector C - 2nd Shift
Barnes GroupPay not stated West Chester, OH OnsitePrecision MeasuringCalipersDial IndicatorCMM OperationsBlueprint Reading +1
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