Auxiliary operator vs operator

The differences between auxiliary operators and operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an auxiliary operator, becoming an operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an auxiliary operator has an average salary of $60,040, which is higher than the $37,928 average annual salary of an operator.

The top three skills for an auxiliary operator include control room, water chemistry and emergency situations. The most important skills for an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.

Auxiliary operator vs operator overview

	Auxiliary Operator	Operator
Yearly salary	$60,040	$37,928
Hourly rate	$28.87	$18.23
Growth rate	-7%	7%
Number of jobs	32,777	159,077
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	47	43
Years of experience	12	4

What does an auxiliary operator do?

An auxiliary operator controls and oversees various auxiliary equipment at facilities on a daily basis, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include conducting equipment readings, operating machinery and devices, maintaining records of procedures, and performing adjustments as needed. They may also gather samples for laboratory analysis, conduct regular inspections and maintenance checks, and maintain the cleanliness of areas. Moreover, it is vital for an auxiliary operator to maintain an active communication line with co-workers for a safe and efficient work environment.

What does an operator do?

Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.

Auxiliary operator vs operator salary

Auxiliary operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Auxiliary Operator	Operator
Average salary	$60,040	$37,928
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $83,000	Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	Microsoft
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between auxiliary operator and operator education

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

	Auxiliary Operator	Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 31%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Duke University	-

Auxiliary operator vs operator demographics

Here are the differences between auxiliary operators' and operators' demographics:

	Auxiliary Operator	Operator
Average age	47	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%	Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%	Black or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	5%	4%

Differences between auxiliary operator and operator duties and responsibilities

Auxiliary operator example responsibilities.

Need method to proactively manage the business improving cross-functional collaboration & KPI visibility.
Follow NAES procedures on LOTO while doing so in a safely and timely manner.
Complete on site fire school training and responsible for proper operation of plant firefighting equipment.
Supervised/Operate PLC control incinerators and demilitarization machines.
Insure that lock-out and tag-out procedures are perform safely and in compliance with APS guidelines.
Complete training as a fire brigade team member at Delgado fire school.

Operator example responsibilities.

Assist in developing the company s short and long term training plans and managing yearly ammunition allocation.
Assist and manage the extrusion process of polyester raw material in pellet or chip form to produce finish rolls of plastic.
Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Job require basic math skills: fractions and decimals.
Ensure safety of all equipment during production in compliance with strict OSHA and safety regulations.

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Auxiliary operator vs operator skills

Common auxiliary operator skills

Control Room, 17%
Water Chemistry, 11%
Emergency Situations, 11%
Plant Operations, 10%
Plant Equipment, 7%
Auxiliary Equipment, 6%

Common operator skills

Safety Procedures, 15%
CDL, 6%
Emergency Calls, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Quality Checks, 4%
Dozer, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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