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The differences between assistant operators and mill operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an assistant operator, becoming a mill operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mill operator has an average salary of $39,045, which is higher than the $37,607 average annual salary of an assistant operator.
The top three skills for an assistant operator include customer service, ladders and safety procedures. The most important skills for a mill operator are CNC, OSHA, and math.
| Assistant Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $37,607 | $39,045 |
| Hourly rate | $18.08 | $18.77 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 88,093 | 64,574 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 50 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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.
Mill operators are skilled employees who are responsible for operating and maintaining milling machines that grind materials such as rocks or chemicals at a milling facility. These operators must gather raw materials for production and assist with the inventory of all materials. They must operate a wide variety of equipment such as power saws, sanders, drill press, and basic hand tools while performing regular maintenance and troubleshooting on the milling machines. Mill operators must also attend safety meetings that are held weekly and monthly to ensure machine operators are following safety procedures.
Assistant operators and mill operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average salary | $37,607 | $39,045 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $50,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | Freeport-McMoRan |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Construction |
There are a few differences between an assistant operator and a mill operator in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Operator | Mill 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 mill operators' demographics:
| Assistant Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% |
| 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, 14.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |