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Extrusion Machine Operator I Salary in the United States

How much does an Extrusion Machine Operator I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Extrusion Machine Operator I in the United States is $42,950 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, an Extrusion Machine Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $49,235
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,400 to $46,240
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,168
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View as table View as graph 25% $39,400 10% $36,168 90% $49,235 75% $46,240 $42,950 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Extrusion Machine Operator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $46,240 $3,853 $889 $22
Average $42,950 $3,579 $826 $21
25th Percentile $39,400 $3,283 $758 $19
Check out Extrusion Machine Operator I Job Openings in the United States
Extrusion Machine Operator

Aerotek - Columbus, OH

Extrusion Machine Operator

Aerotek - Columbus, OH

Extrusion Operator

GTRJOBS - Staffing + Recruiting - Columbus, OH

Extrusion Operator Trainee

Engineered Profiles LLC - Columbus, OH

Search More Extrusion Machine Operator I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Extrusion Machine Operator I Salaries

An Extrusion Machine Operator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Extrusion Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Extrusion Machine Operator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $42,685
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,950
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $43,539
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $43,932
  • Expert (over 8 years): $44,030
Levels Salary
Entry Level Extrusion Machine Operator I$42,685
Intermediate Level Extrusion Machine Operator I$42,950
Senior Level Extrusion Machine Operator I$43,539
Specialist Level Extrusion Machine Operator I$43,932
Expert Level Extrusion Machine Operator I$44,030
$42,685 0 yr
$42,950 < 2 yrs
$43,539 2-4 yrs
$43,932 5-8 yrs
$44,030 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Extrusion Machine Operator I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Extrusion Machine Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $47,550.
  • California: $47,370.
  • Massachusetts: $46,740.

Top Paying Cities for Extrusion Machine Operator Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $54,170
  • San Francisco: $53,580
  • Oakland: $52,450

What Skills Can Increase an Extrusion Machine Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 4.82% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 4.82%
Food Safety 3.6%
Continuous Improvement 1.89%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Extrusion Machine Operator I's salary.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration
$47,675
11%
Process Improvement
$47,245
10%
Analysis
$46,816
9%
5S
$46,386
8%
Leadership
$45,957
7%
ISO
$45,527
6%
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Extrusion Machine Operator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Extrusion Machine Operator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $49,513. While startup companies pay approximate $41,918.

Extrusion Machine Operator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$41,918
Growth Stage51~500$44,321
Established501~5000$47,821
Enterprise5000+$49,513

Extrusion Machine Operator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Extrusion Machine Operator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Extrusion Machine Operator positions in Pharmaceuticals or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Extrusion Machine Operator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Extrusion Machine Operator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$64,425$31.050%
Chemicals$51,540$25.020%

How Education impacts an Extrusion Machine Operator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Extrusion Machine Operator Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Extrusion Machine Operator I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $41,234 and $44,104).

Extrusion Machine Operator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Extrusion Machine Operator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 60.0%
High School 60.0%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Extrusion Machine Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Extrusion Machine Operator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Extrusion Machine Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Extrusion Machine Operator I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Extrusion Machine Operator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Extruder Operator II $54,600 27%
Plastic Injection Molding Operator II $48,600 13%
Intermediate Machine Operator $45,500 6%
Milling Machine Technician II $46,900 9%

Salary Trends for Extrusion Machine Operator I

Salaries for an Extrusion Machine Operator I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,256 in 2023 to around $37,727 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Extrusion Machine Operator I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Extrusion Machine Operator I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,256
2024
$37,980
2025
$37,727
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,256
2024 $37,980
2025 $37,727
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Extrusion Machine Operator I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Extrusion Machine Operator I

Here are companies hiring for Extrusion Machine Operator I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Extrusion Machine Operator I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Extrusion Machine Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Komline Sanderson

    Columbus, OH

    Komline Sanderson | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About Komline. As a pioneering leader in advanced separation technologies, Komline has established a global reputation fo... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Luxor Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Luxor Staffing | Columbus, OH

    2756 S Hamilton Rd - [Equipment Operator] - Weekly Pay (Direct Deposit/Onsite Check Delivery) / ACA Compliant Healthcare Benefits (Dental + Vision Coverage... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Acloche-Gahanna

    Columbus, OH

    Acloche-Gahanna | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. Seeking a dependable and mechanically inclined Machine Operator to operate, monitor, and maintain production... more

    7 Days Ago

  • LSI Industries Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    LSI Industries Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator. LSI ADL is looking for an energetic and outgoing individual to join our Surface Mount team as a Machine Operator. With this role the empl... more

    8 Days Ago

  • McNichols

    Columbus, OH

    McNichols | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator/Fabricator. With distribution centers nationwide, McNICHOLS is the leading and trusted supplier of metal products including perforated, gr... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Onin Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Onin Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Machine Operator. Columbus, OH. Overview. Location: Columbus, Ohio. Job Type: Temp-to-Hire | Full-Time. About the Opportunity: Onin Staffing currently recr... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Extrusion Machine Operator I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Extrusion Machine Operator I?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Extrusion Machine Operator I roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What are the disadvantages of extrusion?

Disadvantages of extrusion include variations in product size and limitations due to the ability to produce only one type of cross-section at a time. Additionally, the initial setup costs can be high. For those considering a career in this field, Extrusion Machine Operators earn between $40,440 and $51,150, with a median salary of $45,420.

3. Are machine operators in demand?

Yes, machine operators are in demand across various sectors, including food processing and packaging. The salary for an Extrusion Machine Operator ranges from $40,440 to $51,150, with a median salary of $45,420, reflecting the growing need for skilled operators in the industry.

4. Which carrier has the highest salary?

The highest salary for an Extrusion Machine Operator ranges from $40,440 to $51,150, with a median salary of $45,420. While this position offers competitive pay, it does not compare to the highest-paying careers, such as Emergency Medicine Physicians, who earn around $115 per hour.

5. Is extrusion cold working?

Cold extrusion is performed at room temperature or near room temperature. This method offers several advantages over hot extrusion, including reduced oxidation, increased strength from cold working, tighter tolerances, improved surface finish, and faster extrusion speeds. As an Extrusion Machine Operator, you can expect a salary ranging from $40,440 to $51,150, with a midpoint of $45,420.

6. Which machine operator makes the most money?

The highest-paying machine operator roles include CMM Programmers, with salaries ranging from $55,000 to $76,000 per year. In comparison, Extrusion Machine Operators earn between $40,440 and $51,150 annually, with a mid-salary of $45,420. Other roles like CNC Machinists and Wafer Fab Technicians also offer competitive salaries.

7. What is another name for an extrusion operator?

Extrusion operators, also known as extruding and drawing machine operators, oversee machines that shape thermoplastic materials. They are employed in various manufacturing sectors, including plastics, automotive, and aerospace. The salary for this role typically ranges from $40,440 to $51,150, with a median salary of $45,420.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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