Career comparison
Crushing Machine Operator vs. Mixing Machine Operator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Mixing machine operators earn more at the median ($48,990 vs. $48,540), while mixing machine operators usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Crushing machine operators run crushers and mills that break down rock, minerals and materials. Mixing machine operators run mixers and blenders that combine chemicals, rubber, plastics and other materials.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Crushing Machine Operator | Mixing Machine Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $48,540 ($23.34/hr) | $48,990 ($23.55/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,520 – $69,240 | $36,790 – $70,200 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.7% (a projected decline) | -6.1% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 2,300 | 7,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | MSHA training | Hazmat training |
| Work setting | Operators work at quarries, mines and processing plants, often outdoors.. | Operators work in chemical, paint, plastics and rubber plants.. |
What each job does
Crushing Machine Operator
- Run crushers and mills
- Control feed rates
- Monitor screens
- Check product size
- Clear jams
Mixing Machine Operator
- Weigh materials
- Load mixers
- Run mixing cycles
- Test batches
- Adjust formulas
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and shift work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose crushing machine operator if…
- I like heavy machinery
- I don’t mind dust
- I work outdoors
Choose mixing machine operator if…
- I follow recipes exactly
- I handle chemicals carefully
- I’m accurate
Still torn? Take the Crushing Machine Operator fit quiz and the Mixing Machine Operator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, crushing machine operator or mixing machine operator?
Mixing Machine Operators earn more at the median: $48,990 versus $48,540 for crushing machine operators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Mixing Machine Operators typically train faster (A few months on the job) than crushing machine operators (A few months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects crushing machine operators to grow -1.7% from 2025–35, compared with -6.1% for mixing machine operators.