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Mechanical Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Serioplast

Machine Operator

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$16.50 - $19.50/hr

Are you a mechanical operator looking for an exciting opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced, global environment? Join us and take your career to new heights! What will you do? * Operate and monitor ...

Pioneer Circuits Inc.

Potting Operator

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

The Assembly Potting Operator performs a wide variety of electrical/mechanical product assembly operations on components, assemblies or subassemblies. What You'll Do: * Prepares assembly work by ...

Serioplast

Machine Operator

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$16.50 - $19.50/hr

Are you a mechanical operator looking for an exciting opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced, global environment? Join us and take your career to new heights! What will you do? * Operate and monitor ...

Pioneer Circuits Inc.

Potting Operator

Santa Ana, CA

$17 - $20/hr

The Assembly Potting Operator performs a wide variety of electrical/mechanical product assembly operations on components, assemblies or subassemblies. What You'll Do: * Prepares assembly work by ...

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Mechanical Operator information

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How much do mechanical operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for mechanical operator in the United States is $20.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are mechanical operators?

Mechanical operators are skilled professionals who operate, monitor, and maintain machinery and mechanical equipment in various industrial settings. Their responsibilities include starting and stopping machines, troubleshooting issues, performing routine maintenance, and ensuring that equipment runs efficiently and safely. Mechanical operators often work with complex systems and must follow safety protocols to prevent accidents. They play a crucial role in the smooth operation of manufacturing plants, production lines, and other facilities that rely on mechanical equipment.

What are some typical challenges Mechanical Operators face during shift work, and how can they be managed?

Mechanical Operators often work in environments that require shift work, which can include nights, weekends, or rotating schedules. This can present challenges such as fatigue, maintaining concentration, and adapting to changing workflows. To manage these challenges, it's helpful to establish a consistent sleep routine, prioritize clear communication with team members during shift changes, and stay organized with regular equipment checks and maintenance logs. Many employers also provide training and support to help operators adjust to shift work and promote a safe, collaborative workplace.

What is the difference between Mechanical Operator vs Machine Operator?

AspectMechanical OperatorMachine Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, technical training, certifications in machineryHigh school diploma, basic technical training often sufficient
Work EnvironmentFactories, manufacturing plants, industrial settingsFactories, production lines, manufacturing facilities
Job ResponsibilitiesMaintaining, repairing, and operating complex machineryOperating and monitoring specific machines during production
Industry UsageHeavy industry, manufacturing, industrial plantsManufacturing, assembly lines, production facilities

Mechanical Operators typically handle more complex machinery, requiring technical skills and certifications, while Machine Operators focus on operating specific equipment during manufacturing processes. Both roles are essential in industrial settings but differ in scope and technical requirements.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Mechanical operators typically do not earn $2000 a day; such high daily rates are usually associated with specialized roles like oil and gas drilling supervisors, certain high-level consultants, or contractors in niche industries. These positions often require extensive experience, certifications, and working in high-risk or remote environments with premium pay structures.

What is the highest paying machine operator job?

The highest paying machine operator jobs are often found in specialized industries such as oil and gas, aerospace, or manufacturing of complex machinery, where operators may earn six-figure salaries. These roles typically require advanced technical skills, certifications, and experience operating high-end or hazardous equipment. Supervisory or lead operator positions in these fields tend to offer the highest compensation.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A mechanical operator can potentially earn $10,000 a month with experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries such as manufacturing or energy. These roles often require technical training or certifications but not necessarily a college degree, and they typically involve operating and maintaining machinery in industrial environments. High-paying positions may also involve overtime, shift work, or supervisory responsibilities.

What do mechanical operators do?

Mechanical operators are responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining machinery and equipment in manufacturing or industrial settings. They ensure machines run efficiently, perform routine inspections, troubleshoot issues, and follow safety protocols, often using control panels and tools. Certification and knowledge of mechanical systems are typically required for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mechanical Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mechanical Operator, you need a solid understanding of mechanical systems, troubleshooting abilities, and a high school diploma or relevant technical certification. Familiarity with operating and maintaining industrial machinery, using control systems, and following safety protocols is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient equipment operation, minimize downtime, and support smooth production processes.
What cities are hiring for Mechanical Operator jobs? Cities with the most Mechanical Operator job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Mechanical Operator jobs? The top employers for Mechanical Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Mechanical Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Mechanical Operator jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Mechanical Operator jobs? For Mechanical Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Mechanical Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mechanical Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,329 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

3691 Operator Mechanic (Night Shift)

Mt Olive Pickles

Mount Olive, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Mt. Olive Pickle Company is seeking qualified candidates for an Operator Mechanic in our Finished Goods Department. The ideal candidates has solid mechanical skills and hands-on experience with industrial or manufacturing equipment; the ability to diagnose issues quickly and stay calm under pressure; is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment while staying focused on quality, safety, and teamwork; and has a willingness to work shifts, overtime, and weekends when needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
  • Sets up, troubleshoots, repairs and/or replaces parts, and operates qualified equipment in the Finished Goods Department.
  • Monitors to assure that all product adheres to food safety and quality critical limits. The machine operator/mechanic's absence will be covered by another employee trained to monitor food safety and quality.
  • Visually and physically performs quality checks of labels and coding on his/her assigned line. At each station the OM should check his/her own station's work and the work already done upstream. Examples include, but are not limited to, checking to assure caps are on the jar properly, labels are the right ones for that item and are positioned correctly on the jar, tamper-evident bands are on the jars' necks, coding is correct, jars are clean, shrink wrap is tight.
  • Adjusts line speeds to keep the pasteurizer discharge accumulation tables empty.
  • Performs daily and weekly operational and pre-operational checklist tasks on all equipment.
  • Cleans and maintains assigned work area, including performing equipment PMs, checking oil levels,
  • greasing, 5S, etc.
  • When operating label machine, obtains and manually carries boxes of labels (25 lbs. boxes) from a designated point outside the label storage area to the label machine. Verifies that all labels are accurate according to the latest revision of that shift's production schedule.
  • Assists DIN personnel.
  • Keeps records of downtime and product checks.
  • Follows safety rules and company policies.

Other Duties
  • Assists in training seasonal machine laborers.
  • May occasionally drive forklift.
  • Occasionally will be assigned to work on other lines as needed. Occasionally operates two machines.
  • Participates in training, employee meetings, committees, project teams, etc. as appropriate.
  • Receives verbal and written instructions from supervisor on above tasks and performs other work as directed by supervisor.

Requirements
High school or equivalency needed. Additional trades training a strong plus. Must successfully complete company training modules for three pieces of qualified equipment. Ability to speak, read and write English required. Required math skills include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Intermediate level computer skills needed. CRC (Bronze level or higher) a plus.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Machines, Equipment, Tools Used
Will vary by machine operated. Machinery in Finished Goods includes, but is not limited to, conveyors, labelers, printers, case jets, tamper evident banding machinery, tray formers, inserters, fillers, palletizers, shrink wrappers, case packers. Some machinery may have multiple functions, be computerized, and/or have robotic components. Tools may include basic hand tools, scan gun and measuring devices.
Physical Demands
  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerate degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
  • Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
  • Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady forces in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a high position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  • Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
  • Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
  • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound.
  • Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform and activity such as: operates machines such as lathes, drill presses, power saws and mills where the seeing job is at or within arm's reach; performs mechanical or skilled trade tasks of a non-repetitive nature such as carpenters, technicians, service people, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.
Work Environment
Works inside, subject to some seasonal temperature variation and intermittent wetting from
some job tasks. Some contact with grease, ink, dust and glue. Fumes from hot pepper, ink,
glue and forklifts. Earplugs required due to irritating machinery noise. Head cover and beard cover required. Steel toed shoes required.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

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