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Compositor vs press operator assistant

The differences between compositors and press operators assistant can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a compositor and a press operator assistant. Additionally, a compositor has an average salary of $45,101, which is higher than the $32,707 average annual salary of a press operator assistant.

The top three skills for a compositor include VFX, visual effects and animation. The most important skills for a press operator assistant are customer service, data entry, and logistics.

Compositor vs press operator assistant overview

CompositorPress Operator Assistant
Yearly salary$45,101$32,707
Hourly rate$21.68$15.72
Growth rate--8%
Number of jobs15465,464
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

What does a compositor do?

Compositors are the creators of a frame, shot, or sequence final image. They usually combine various digital elements to produce a believable picture. Following the direction of the style chosen for the set is part of these compositors' responsibilities. These workers create their visual effects and high-quality composites using special effects (SFX) like 2D and 3D animation and CGIs. They use these digital elements to create convincing shadows, enhance a picture's lighting, and static background plates.

What does a press operator assistant do?

A press operator assistant is responsible for conducting various tasks such as maintaining the quality of machines, replenishing and securing the supplies attached, and operating printing equipment. Aside from this, they also have administrative duties ranging from overseeing the workflow and the workforce, conducting quality control inspections, producing progress reports, monitoring inventory, and even procuring supplies. There are also instances where a press operator assistant must clean devices and monitor efficiency to ensure smooth daily operations.

Compositor vs press operator assistant salary

Compositors and press operators assistant have different pay scales, as shown below.

CompositorPress Operator Assistant
Average salary$45,101$32,707
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $85,000Between $24,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityPittsfield, MAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyDassault SystèmesZS
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between compositor and press operator assistant education

There are a few differences between a compositor and a press operator assistant in terms of educational background:

CompositorPress Operator Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorAnimationBusiness
Most common college--

Compositor vs press operator assistant demographics

Here are the differences between compositors' and press operators assistant' demographics:

CompositorPress Operator Assistant
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 62.7% Female, 37.3%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between compositor and press operator assistant duties and responsibilities

Compositor example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with lighting and fx leads to help achieve an efficient workflow.
  • Work include matte extractions, tracking, color correction, paint fixesand integrating cg elements.
  • Direct a small VFX team, create consistent, realistic 3D environments/effects; integrate live-action (film) into the CGI.
  • Apply FX stage makeup efficiently and quickly for several characters using stage blood, liquid latex, and other FX materials.
  • Install signs, and apply graphics to cars, vans, trucks, semi-trucks, boats, and windows.
  • Hand cut stencils and hand letter signs.
  • Show more

Press operator assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage animal orders with multiple vendors using Peoplesoft software.
  • Create and assign AFE numbers for drilling and geology.
  • Maintain neat and orderly logs to stay in compliance with dot regulations.
  • Monitor CRT's for recorder and associate equipment and their operational status.
  • Answer multi-line PBX switchboard and provide messages in an accurate and timely fashion.
  • Utilize a problem-solving mindset to troubleshoot technology complications.
  • Show more

Compositor vs press operator assistant skills

Common compositor skills
  • VFX, 19%
  • Visual Effects, 13%
  • Animation, 11%
  • CG, 11%
  • Maya, 7%
  • Mocha, 6%
Common press operator assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Data Entry, 12%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • Administrative Tasks, 5%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Purchase Orders, 3%

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