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Assistant operator vs relief operator

The differences between assistant operators and relief operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a relief operator has an average salary of $42,693, 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 relief operator are food safety, CIP, and PPE.

Assistant operator vs relief operator overview

Assistant OperatorRelief Operator
Yearly salary$37,607$42,693
Hourly rate$18.08$20.53
Growth rate-8%7%
Number of jobs88,09364,469
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age5044
Years of experience2-

What does an assistant operator do?

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.

What does a relief operator do?

A relief operator job depends on the institution or organization. Their main jobs include examining, measuring, and weighing materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales. Their additional responsibilities include maintaining regular contact and communication with customers to resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.

Assistant operator vs relief operator salary

Assistant operators and relief operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant OperatorRelief Operator
Average salary$37,607$42,693
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $36,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CAHutchinson, KS
Highest paying stateConnecticutKansas
Best paying companyMassachusetts General HospitalNestlé
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between assistant operator and relief operator education

There are a few differences between an assistant operator and a relief operator in terms of educational background:

Assistant OperatorRelief Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina University-

Assistant operator vs relief operator demographics

Here are the differences between assistant operators' and relief operators' demographics:

Assistant OperatorRelief Operator
Average age5044
Gender ratioMale, 76.8% Female, 23.2%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between assistant operator and relief operator duties and responsibilities

Assistant operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage proper removal and allocation for full yarn spindles.
  • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
  • Maintain current MSHA training requirements.
  • Coordinate special movement of ISO tanks.
  • Certify in MSHA hard-rock mine safety.
  • Maintain spinning/winding machines by putting idle spindles and cones back into production.
  • Show more

Relief operator example responsibilities.

  • Run and maintain production machinery while following all company GMP's and safety policies.
  • Utilize chemicals for clean-ups, always following MSDS instructions and wearing proper PPE at all times.
  • Perform work in specialize chemical/acid resistant PPE with SCBA, chemical resistant heat suits, inline air and escape packs.
  • Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.
  • Perform routine verification of equipment when unloading autoclaves and setting up aseptic filling machines.

Assistant operator vs relief operator skills

Common assistant operator skills
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Safety Committee, 6%
  • Quality Checks, 6%
  • PPE, 5%
Common relief operator skills
  • Food Safety, 18%
  • CIP, 11%
  • PPE, 7%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • CDL, 6%

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