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The differences between assembly & test technicians and test operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assembly & test technician has an average salary of $38,774, which is higher than the $35,591 average annual salary of a test operator.
The top three skills for an assembly & test technician include mechanical assembly, aerospace and dexterity. The most important skills for a test operator are test equipment, hand tools, and test procedures.
| Assembly & Test Technician | Test Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,774 | $35,591 |
| Hourly rate | $18.64 | $17.11 |
| Growth rate | - | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 64,354 | 63,674 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 47% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
An assembly & test technician works at manufacturing facilities where they are in charge of assembling product components and subjecting them to various tests, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their organization of employment, it usually includes understanding diagrams and project requirements, establishing and implementing test parameters, operating tools and equipment, maintaining records, and producing detailed reports. There are also times when they must coordinate with quality control teams, working together in a joint effort to improve production processes and results.
The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement. Additionally, you will assemble electronics in their boxes and notify the quality/test engineer if the test yields below the acceptable levels.
Assembly & test technicians and test operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assembly & Test Technician | Test Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,774 | $35,591 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $49,000 | Between $25,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beverly, MA | Stratford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | BWX Technologies | Qorvo |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Technology |
There are a few differences between an assembly & test technician and a test operator in terms of educational background:
| Assembly & Test Technician | Test Operator | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 47% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | - |
Here are the differences between assembly & test technicians' and test operators' demographics:
| Assembly & Test Technician | Test Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 10.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 4% |