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Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salary in the United States

How much does a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I in the United States is $35,853 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41,097
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32,892 to $38,598
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,196

Key Factors That Influence Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salaries

A Surface Mount Tech 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 Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Surface Mount Tech 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:

  • Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I (0-1 years): $35,853
  • Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator II (1-3 years): $44,464
  • Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator III (3-5 years): $49,458
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I0-1 years$35,853
Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator II1-3 years$44,464
Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator III3-5 years$49,458

Top Paying Cities for Surface Mount Tech 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: $45,221
  • San Francisco: $44,726
  • Oakland: $43,784

What Skills Can Increase a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 3.83% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 3.4% 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.
  • Inventory Control (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 3.83%
Continuous Improvement 3.4%
Inventory Control 2.13%

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 a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I's salary.

  • Oral Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Inventory Control: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Oral Communication $43,741
22%
Inventory Control $41,948
17%
Initiative $38,721
8%

Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Surface Mount Tech 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 $40,356. While startup companies pay approximate $34,159.

Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $34,159
Growth Stage 51~500 $36,116
Established 501~5000 $38,975
Enterprise 5000+ $40,356

Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Chemicals, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator positions in MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Chemicals$46,609$22.030%

How Education impacts a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $31,329 and $34,320.

Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 9.1%
High School 45.5%
Associates 36.4%
Bachelors 9.1%
Masters 9.1%
Doctorate 0.0%

Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Surface Mount Tech 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 September 01, 2026
$32,892
Average $35,853/year
$38,598
$2,741
Average $2,988/month
$3,217
$633
Average $689/week
$742
$16
Average $17/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $38,598 $3,217 $742 $19
Average $35,853 $2,988 $689 $17
25th Percentile $32,892 $2,741 $633 $16

Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Surface Mount Tech 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.

Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Extrusion Operator, Sr. $54,604 52%
Injection Molding Machine Operator II $48,516 35%
Machine Operator II $45,476 27%
Milling Machine Operator II $52,128 45%

Most common benefits for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I

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

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FAQ about Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I

1. Where can a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I earn the most?

A Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I is $45,221.

2. What is the highest pay for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I?

The highest pay for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I is $41,097.

3. What is the lowest pay for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I?

The lowest pay for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I is $30,196.

4. What are the responsibilities of Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I?

Responsible for both automated and manual surface mount manufacturing. Responsible for set-up, operation, and adjustment of SMT equipment. Monitors and maintains equipment to meet company standards. May be responsible for quality assurance and documentation. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I?

The Chemicals industry offers the highest average compensation for Surface Mount Tech Machine Operator I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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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