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The differences between assistant operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant operator has an average salary of $37,607, which is higher than the $34,520 average annual salary of a line operator.
The top three skills for an assistant operator include customer service, ladders and safety procedures. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Assistant Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $37,607 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $18.08 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 88,093 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Assistant operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $37,607 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $50,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | BD |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an assistant operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | - |
Here are the differences between assistant operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Assistant Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |