ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Operator Jobs in Madison, AL (NOW HIRING)

Aerotek

Entry Level Recruiter/Sales Trainee

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$76K - $102K/yr

Aerotek is an operating company within Allegis Group, a global leader in talent solutions. We are a privately held organization with over 200+ offices nationwide. We work with 95% of Fortune 500 ...

VULCAN PLASTICS

General Worker/Operator

Athens, AL · On-site

$13 - $15.75/hr

General Worker/Operator Full Time- Hourly Pay Start your career here at Consolidated Pipe and ... This is our entry level position in which you will work in many areas of the plant. A great ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsOperator JobsEntry Level Operator JobsEntry Level Operator Jobs in Madison, AL

Entry Level Operator information

See Madison, AL salary details

$10

$15

$19

How much do entry level operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level operator in Madison, AL is $15.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $17.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Entry Level Operators and how can they be addressed?

Entry Level Operators often face challenges such as mastering complex machinery, adapting to shift work, and maintaining consistent productivity in a fast-paced environment. To overcome these challenges, it’s important to take advantage of on-the-job training, ask questions, and seek guidance from experienced team members. Building strong communication skills and being proactive about safety procedures can also help new operators quickly become effective and confident in their roles.

What are entry level operators?

Entry level operators are employees who typically work in manufacturing, production, or industrial settings and are responsible for running machinery, monitoring equipment, and ensuring products meet quality standards. They are usually new to the field and receive on-the-job training to learn how to operate specific machines or processes. Their duties may include starting and stopping equipment, doing basic maintenance, reporting malfunctions, and keeping work areas clean and safe. Entry level operators play a key role in keeping production lines running smoothly and efficiently.

What is the difference between Entry Level Operator vs Machine Operator?

AspectEntry Level OperatorMachine Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; basic technical trainingHigh school diploma; technical certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, manufacturing plants, industrial settingsFactories, manufacturing lines, industrial facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level roles across manufacturing and industrial sectorsOperational roles in manufacturing, processing, and production industries
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Entry Level Operator and a Machine Operator lies in their experience and specialization. Entry Level Operators typically have basic training and perform general operational tasks, while Machine Operators often have specific technical skills and certifications to handle particular machinery. Both roles are essential in manufacturing environments and share similar work settings, but Machine Operators usually require more technical expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Operator, you generally need a high school diploma or GED, basic mechanical aptitude, and a willingness to learn safety and operational procedures. Familiarity with industrial machinery, control systems, and safety certifications like OSHA are often required or highly valued. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operations in manufacturing or industrial environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operator jobs in Madison, AL? The most popular types of Operator jobs in Madison, AL are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Operator jobs in Madison, AL? For Entry Level Operator jobs in Madison, AL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Madison, AL are hiring for Entry Level Operator jobs? Cities near Madison, AL with the most Entry Level Operator job openings:
Entry Level Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Operator job openings in Madison, AL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,580 per year, or $15.7 per hour.
Machine Utility Operator, 2nd Shift

Machine Utility Operator, 2nd Shift

Packaging Corporation of America

Huntsville, AL • On-site

$19.44/hr

Full-time, Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Packaging Corporation Of America rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 148 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 114 rated packaging manufacturers

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers - large and small - package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.
People • Customers • Trust
Location: 222 Celtic Dr, Madison AL
Pay Rate: $19.44, plus .50 shift differential
Hours: 4 day workweek (Mon-Thurs 3:30pm-2:00am)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work as part of a team in support of a manufacturing operation with a goal of increasing productivity; decreasing downtime and waste.
Assume active role in overall plant and facilities-related work. Position requires assisting all jobs on the plant floor.
Follow all company safety rules and lock-out tag-out procedures.
Maintain shop and shop equipment per 5S Standards.
May be required to stack parts up to 30 lbs. for a period of up to 12 hours
Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Graduate or GED.
Be passionate about maintaining a safe work environment.
Must be able to work overtime and weekends as needed.
Must be willing to work the first and second shift.
Must have a good attendance record.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in a packaging or other manufacturing environment is preferred.
Possess an understanding that temperatures and volumes of work may vary.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Must be willing to work closely on a day-to-day basis with other production personnel.
Ability to share ideas with others to solve problems of essential importance.
Excellent communication skills.
Thrive in a cross-functional team environment.
Work with a sense of urgency to reduce downtime of machines.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast paced environment and handle multiple requests simultaneously.
PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
  • Starting salary for position: $19.44 per hour.
  • Bonus: Annual - Based upon achievement of plant performance metrics.
  • Paid Vacation: 1 week per calendar year. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
  • Paid Holidays.
  • Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision - and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
  • Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions
  • Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA's good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.

What Packaging Corporation Of America employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply