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1St Shift Machine Operator Jobs in Reading, PA (NOW HIRING)

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Assembler

Ephrata, PA

$17 - $20/hr

Machine Operator / Assembly Associate - 1st & 2nd Shift APPLY NOW OR text Maycol at (717) 8207052 TODAY! Location: Lancaster County, Ephrata, PA area Pay Rate: $17 - $20/hr (based on relevant ...

Pratt Industries

Machine Operator - 1st Shift

Macungie, PA · On-site

$16.50 - $20/hr

SUMMARY Responsible for all activities associated with safely operating production machines ... Housekeeping and cleaning of work areas - keep clean and free of tripping hazards during shift and ...

Pratt Industries

Machine Operator - 1st Shift

Macungie, PA

$16.50 - $20/hr

SUMMARY Responsible for all activities associated with safely operating production machines ... Housekeeping and cleaning of work areas - keep clean and free of tripping hazards during shift and ...

jbpco

Machine Operator I: 1st Shift

Reading, PA

$16.25 - $19.75/hr

How You Will Make an Impact #PIQ Our Machine Operators will operate Brake, Laser, Presses. Operates machine requiring a high grade of skill to change the shape or condition of new materials. Maintain ...

jbpco

Machine Operator I: 1st Shift

Reading, PA · On-site

$16.25 - $19.50/hr

How You Will Make an Impact #PIQ Our Machine Operators will operate Brake, Laser, Presses. Operates machine requiring a high grade of skill to change the shape or condition of new materials. Maintain ...

jbpco

Machine Operator I: 1st Shift

Reading, PA · On-site

$16.25 - $19.50/hr

How You Will Make an Impact #PIQ Our Machine Operators will operate Brake, Laser, Presses. Operates machine requiring a high grade of skill to change the shape or condition of new materials. Maintain ...

jbpco

Machine Operator I: 1st Shift

Reading, PA · On-site

$16.25 - $19.50/hr

How You Will Make an Impact #PIQ Our Machine Operators will operate Brake, Laser, Presses. Operates machine requiring a high grade of skill to change the shape or condition of new materials. Maintain ...

John F Martin & Sons LLC

Machine Operator

Stevens, PA · On-site

$17.50/hr

We are hiring for a FIRST SHIFT - Stevens location Hours are: 5:30 am - 2:30 (with some mandatory OT & Saturdays) The Machine Operator works in a fast-paced, refrigerated production environment ...

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All Jobs1St Shift Machine Operator Jobs1St Shift Machine Operator Jobs in Reading, PA

1St Shift Machine Operator information

See Reading, PA salary details

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How much do 1st shift machine operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for 1st shift machine operator in Reading, PA is $17.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.72 and $18.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 1st Shift Machine Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 1st Shift Machine Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with manufacturing machinery, basic computer skills, and safety certifications such as OSHA are commonly required. Reliability, teamwork, and effective communication help operators excel and maintain a safe, efficient work environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for minimizing downtime, ensuring product quality, and supporting overall plant productivity.

What is the difference between 1St Shift Machine Operator vs 2Nd Shift Machine Operator?

Aspect1St Shift Machine Operator2Nd Shift Machine Operator
Work HoursTypically 8:00 AM - 4:00 PMUsually 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
CertificationsRequires basic machine operation certificationsSame certifications as 1st shift
Work EnvironmentDaytime production floorEvening/night shift on the same production floor
Employer UsageCommonly advertised for day shifts in manufacturingOften sought for night shift roles in factories

The main difference between a 1St Shift Machine Operator and a 2Nd Shift Machine Operator lies in their working hours. Both roles typically require similar certifications and work in the same environment, but they operate during different shifts. Employers often seek these roles based on shift timing preferences, with 1st shift covering daytime hours and 2nd shift handling evening or night hours.

What does a typical day look like for a 1st Shift Machine Operator, and how does the role interact with other departments?

As a 1st Shift Machine Operator, your day typically starts early in the morning and involves setting up, operating, and monitoring machinery to ensure efficient production runs. You'll be responsible for maintaining quality standards, troubleshooting minor equipment issues, and completing production reports. Collaboration is common—you'll frequently communicate with supervisors, maintenance teams, and quality assurance staff to address issues and meet production goals. This teamwork is essential for keeping the workflow smooth and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What is a 1st Shift Machine Operator?

A 1st Shift Machine Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining machinery during the first shift of the workday, typically starting in the early morning and ending in the afternoon. Their duties include setting up machines, monitoring production processes, conducting quality checks, and performing basic maintenance or troubleshooting tasks. This role is common in manufacturing, production, and warehouse environments, and requires attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and adherence to safety protocols.
What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Operator jobs in Reading, PA? The most popular types of Machine Operator jobs in Reading, PA are:
What are popular job titles related to 1St Shift Machine Operator jobs in Reading, PA? For 1St Shift Machine Operator jobs in Reading, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching 1St Shift Machine Operator jobs in Reading, PA look for? The top searched job categories for 1St Shift Machine Operator jobs in Reading, PA are:
What cities near Reading, PA are hiring for 1St Shift Machine Operator jobs? Cities near Reading, PA with the most 1St Shift Machine Operator job openings:
1St Shift Machine Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various 1St Shift Machine Operator job openings in Reading, PA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,706 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Machine Operator - First Shift

John F. Martin and Sons

Stevens, PA

$16.25 - $19.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

John F. Martin & Sons, LLC, is a third/fourth generation, family-owned/family-friendly manufacturer and distributor of quality meat and cheese products. With locations in Stevens and Womesldorf, PA, we are committed to our employees' satisfaction, safety, well-being, and professional development. If you're looking for a dedicated employer that is very successful, continuously growing, and working very hard to be a top-quality employer within the community, then we welcome you to join our team.

We are hiring for a FIRST SHIFT - Stevens location

Hours are: 5:30 am - 2:30 (with some mandatory OT & Saturdays)

The Machine Operator works in a fast-paced, refrigerated production environment operating, monitoring, and maintaining meat processing and packaging equipment. This role ensures consistent product flow, quality, safety, and sanitation while supporting production goals across assigned departments. Machine Operators may rotate between departments and equipment based on operational needs and training. Additional department- or equipment-specific duties may be assigned and are outlined in cross-training addenda.

Essential Functions:

Operate, monitor, adjust, and clean assigned production and packaging machinery to maintain a consistent workflow and minimize downtime.

Set up equipment and supplies at the beginning of the shift and properly shut down, clean, and store equipment at the end of the shift.

Monitor product quality, weights, temperatures, yields, and process accuracy in accordance with recipes, specifications, and production standards.

Maintain continuous material flow by staging cages, pans, bins, combos, labels, and other required supplies.

Accurately document production activity, traceability data, and required records in applicable systems.

Identify equipment, safety, or quality issues and immediately stop equipment and report concerns to supervision.

Follow all safety requirements, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, machine guarding, and proper use of PPE.

Maintain clean, organized, and hazard-free work areas in compliance with sanitation, GMP, and food safety standards.

Safely move meat combos, bins, cages, and materials using pump jacks or powered equipment when authorized.

Demonstrate consistent attention to detail while working around conveyors, rollers, blades, moving parts, and powered equipment.

Support rotation between departments or equipment as assigned based on training, skill level, and production needs.

Maintain consistent and reliable attendance and follow all company policies and procedures.

Benefits available to full-time employees:

Medical Insurance, Dental/Vision Insurance, 401K Retirement w/company Match, Life Insurance/AD&D, Short-Term Disability Insurance, Accident/Critical Illness/Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Holidays, Paid Time Off, Referral Bonuses, and other fringe benefits.

If you're seeking career stability with a successful & dedicated employer, we invite you to join the JFM Team!

Apply