14 of the Best Types of Machine Operator Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Machine Operator jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Machine Operator Jobs

• Senior Machine Operator

  Salary range: $41,500 - $103,000

  Senior Machine Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Machine Operator jobs pay between $41,500 (25th percentile) and $103,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Machine Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Internship Machine Operator

  Salary range: $32,500 - $46,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• Apprentice Machine Operator

  Salary range: $35,500 - $45,500

  Apprentice Machine Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Apprentice Machine Operator jobs pay between $35,500 (25th percentile) and $45,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Machine Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• 2Nd Shift Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $41,500

  The 2nd Shift is an evening or night shift. A 2nd Shift job refers to any job that requires employees to work after the first shift (traditionally 7 or 8 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m.) is finished. Second Shift usually means that you will work from 4 p.m. until midnight or 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Second Shift jobs are available in any career that needs coverage after traditional business hours. Some examples are medical careers, retail, and manufacturing.

• 3Rd Shift Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $41,000

  The 3rd Shift is a work shift that covers overnight hours, roughly 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., for businesses that are open or require staff 24 hours a day. There are tradeoffs for people who work these hours. Those who work this shift find that they work when others sleep, and vice versa. While this can be hard, perks can include a lack of traffic en route to work and pay incentives. Some people also work the 3rd shift to be able to hold a second job or to be available to care for their children during the day.

• 1St Shift Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $41,000

  The hours for a 1st Shift job are typically between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., although the times can vary slightly. Job descriptions will often list the work shift or schedule that is required for the job. 1st Shift jobs are sometimes referred to as morning jobs or a morning shift because they begin during the earlier half of the day. In a retail job, the 1st Shift includes procedures to open stores for the day.

• Full Time Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,500

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Machine Operator Manager

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,500

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Machine Operator Trainee

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,500

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Temp Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,500

  Temp Machine Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Temp Machine Operator jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $40,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Temp Machine Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Temporary Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,500

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Journeyman Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,500

  Journeyman Machine Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Journeyman Machine Operator jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $40,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Journeyman Machine Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Machine Operator

  Salary range: $32,500 - $39,500

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Junior Machine Operator

  Salary range: $32,500 - $39,500

  Junior Machine Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Machine Operator jobs pay between $32,500 (25th percentile) and $39,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Machine Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.