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What is the job description of a machine operator?

By October 25, 2021 Jobs
Machine Operators9

What is the job description of a machine operator?
“Machine Operator” is a wide-ranging job title that encompasses a whole host of operations across a variety of industries. A machine operator could be shaping steel for manufacturing or sorting product and packing boxes. 

Machine operators set-up, operate, and maintain machinery, usually in a manufacturing setting. They are responsible for ensuring the machine produces high quality products, runs smoothly and at capacity, and is properly maintained.

Education and training requirements depend on the type of machinery. Most machine operator positions require a high school degree. Machine operators typically have strong attention to detail, strong mathematical skills, and are excellent teamworkers.

What is the salary of a machine operator?
As mentioned, machine operators cover a wide variety of jobs and industries. And, of course,what one makes per hour can vary wildly from one city or region to another. But on average, you can expect to make between $11 an hour and $16 an hour. 

What should a machine operator have on their resume?
Many skills that are required for success as a Machine Operator. They are largely skills that can be learned on the job, so not having those skills already won’t necessarily be a deal breaker. That said, here are a few common skills employers look for in prospective machine operators. 

Operations Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.See more occupations related to this skill.

Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.See more occupations related to this skill.

Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.See more occupations related to this skill.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.See more occupations related to this skill.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

What are the typical duties of a machine operator?
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.See more occupations related to this activity.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.See more occupations related to this activity.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.See more occupations related to this activity.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.See more occupations related to this activity.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

What kind of education do machine operators need?
Education and training requirements depend on the type of machinery. Most machine operator positions require a high school degree. Machine operators typically have strong attention to detail, strong mathematical skills, and are excellent teamworkers.

What kind of responsibilities do machine operators have day-to-day? 

  • Set up machinery for operation
  • Start machinery and make adjustments to machinery when necessary to improve performance
  • Operate machinery and equipment according to instructions
  • Troubleshoot issues and perform maintenance
  • Perform quality control, follow reporting and recordkeeping procedures, and report problems to supervisor
  • Comply with all safety and health regulations
  • Clean machinery and maintain cleanliness in work area

Where do machine operators work?
Machine operators tend to work in factory, shop or warehouse settings. Much of the work is performed standing up, operating either analog or digital controls, and have production goals or targets to hit and/or maintain. 

Do machine operators need any certification or license?
You don’t typically need certification in order to be a machine operator, but the job might require knowledge of or training on system-specific software.

How do you get an entry-level machine operator job?
There is no shortage of online job sites where you can find Machine Operator jobs. And, depending on your location, there’s a good chance you can find one near you on our website by clicking the “job seekers” link on the navigation bar above.

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