Communications operator vs operator

The differences between communications operators and operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a communications operator, becoming an operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an operator has an average salary of $37,928, which is higher than the $31,491 average annual salary of a communications operator.

The top three skills for a communications operator include patients, customer service and emergency situations. The most important skills for an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.

Communications operator vs operator overview

	Communications Operator	Operator
Yearly salary	$31,491	$37,928
Hourly rate	$15.14	$18.23
Growth rate	4%	7%
Number of jobs	48,509	159,077
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	53	43
Years of experience	2	4

What does a communications operator do?

A communications operator is responsible for receiving incoming calls from customers and clients and transferring them to the appropriate department for their needs and concerns. Communications operators perform administrative duties, such as organizing directory, updating customers' information on the database, and pulling-up reports. They also help agents in responding to the customers' inquiries and processing their requests. A communications operator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting calls for audits and references.

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.

Communications operator vs operator salary

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

	Communications Operator	Operator
Average salary	$31,491	$37,928
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	California	North Dakota
Best paying company	City of Round Rock	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Government	Technology

Differences between communications operator and operator education

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

	Communications Operator	Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Communications operator vs operator demographics

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

	Communications Operator	Operator
Average age	53	43
Gender ratio	Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%	Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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	19%	4%

Differences between communications operator and operator duties and responsibilities

Communications operator example responsibilities.

Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
Perform NCIC, DMV, warrant and missing person checks for police officers in the field.
Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
Dispatch ambulances, tow trucks, fire department, aid cars, and other aid as requested, maintain appropriate record.
Utilize``new media,``including blogging, a collective photo site, intellipedia, and instant messaging.
Work dispatch for DPS Pecos and DPS San Angelo ,

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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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Communications operator vs operator skills

Common communications operator skills

Patients, 14%
Customer Service, 14%
Emergency Situations, 6%
PBX, 5%
Public Safety, 4%
Non-Emergency Calls, 4%

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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