Machine Operator Jobs in Arlington, TX
Machine operators in Arlington run corrugators, plastics lines and sheet-metal fabrication machines, and posted pay runs from about $18 to $25 an hour. Packaging Corporation of America starts its Arlington T-Car operators at $23.83. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to start.
Current machine operator Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Machine Operator Work in Arlington
Operator jobs around Arlington cluster in packaging, plastics and electrical equipment plants. Packaging Corporation of America runs a corrugated box plant in Arlington, Poly-America trains new machine operators at its Grand Prairie plant across the Great Southwest Industrial District, and Siemens hires fabrication machine operators at its Fort Worth electrical equipment plant off I-30 and I-20.
Many of these roles take trainees. Plants hire for 1st, 2nd and overnight shifts, and the pay gap comes from what you can do on the machine: operators who run quality checks, troubleshoot jams and handle setups and changeovers earn more than those who only load and unload.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Machine Operators
These employers have posted machine operator roles in Arlington and the nearby metro on their own careers sites:
- Packaging Corporation of America - the Arlington corrugated plant posted a 2nd shift T-Car operator at $23.83 an hour plus a plant performance bonus.
- Poly-America - the Grand Prairie plastics maker hires machine operator trainees on day and overnight shifts.
- Siemens - the Fort Worth plant hires fabrication machine operators on 1st and 2nd shift at $18.00 to $25.00 an hour.
Machine Operator Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level: about $17 to $20 an hour for trainees and new operators.
- Experienced: roughly $21 to $25 an hour for operators who run quality checks and troubleshoot.
- Senior / setup: about $26 to $33 an hour for setup operators and lead operators.
These are estimates. Local postings run from $18.00 to $25.00 an hour at Siemens in Fort Worth to a $23.83 start at PCA in Arlington, and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median for metal and plastic machine workers at $22.94 an hour (May 2025). Shift differentials, overtime, setup skills and plant bonuses move pay the most.
How to Become a Machine Operator in Arlington
Most operator jobs need a high school diploma or GED, and trainee roles teach the machine on the job. Texas has no state license for machine operators, though forklift work requires OSHA employer certification. Tarrant County College South Campus in Fort Worth offers a Manufacturing Technology certificate and a CNC Machinist Technology certificate for operators who want to move into setup and machining, and Arlington ISD runs a manufacturing cluster at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.
What the Job Involves
Machine operators set up, run and watch production machines, load material, check parts against specs, clear jams and record output. On fabrication machines that can include reading blueprints, programming parts and finishing with drilling, tapping and deburring. Operators also do basic preventive maintenance and keep the work area clean and safe.
Skills Employers Look For
- Reading work orders, gauges and basic blueprints
- Quality checks on dimensions and defects
- Troubleshooting jams and machine faults
- Setup and changeover skills
- Safe work around powered equipment
- Reliability on rotating or overnight shifts
Career Path and Advancement
Arlington operators often start as trainees or helpers, become machine operators, then learn setups to move into lead operator or senior operator roles. PCA, for example, trains T-Car operators to cover the corrugator operator role. From there operators move into CNC machining, industrial maintenance, quality inspection or production supervision.
Related Careers in Arlington
If machine operation interests you, these related Arlington roles are natural next steps:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a machine operator in Texas?
No. Texas does not license machine operators. If a job includes forklift driving, the employer must train and certify you under OSHA rules.
How much do machine operators make in Arlington?
New operators generally start around $17 to $20 an hour, experienced operators earn about $21 to $25, and setup or lead operators can reach the low $30s. PCA posted a $23.83 start for its Arlington T-Car operator.
Can I get a machine operator job in Arlington with no experience?
Yes. Poly-America in Grand Prairie hires machine operator trainees, and many plants teach the machine on the job. Reliability, safety habits and willingness to work any shift matter most.
What shifts do machine operators work in Arlington?
Plants run 1st, 2nd and overnight shifts. Siemens in Fort Worth posts 1st and 2nd shift fabrication machine operator roles, and 2nd shift adds a differential.
Where can I train to be a machine operator near Arlington?
Tarrant County College South Campus in Fort Worth offers Manufacturing Technology and CNC Machinist Technology certificates. Arlington ISD students can take manufacturing courses at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.
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