Computer operator vs mainframe operator

The differences between computer operators and mainframe operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a computer operator and a mainframe operator. Additionally, a mainframe operator has an average salary of $46,076, which is higher than the $42,722 average annual salary of a computer operator.

The top three skills for a computer operator include CAD, customer service and computer system. The most important skills for a mainframe operator are windows, troubleshoot, and JCL.

Computer operator vs mainframe operator overview

	Computer Operator	Mainframe Operator
Yearly salary	$42,722	$46,076
Hourly rate	$20.54	$22.15
Growth rate	10%	-
Number of jobs	39,579	26,604
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Computer operator vs mainframe operator salary

Computer operators and mainframe operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Operator	Mainframe Operator
Average salary	$42,722	$46,076
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $63,000	Between $36,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	New York	-
Best paying company	NTT Data International L.L.C.	-
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between computer operator and mainframe operator education

There are a few differences between a computer operator and a mainframe operator in terms of educational background:

	Computer Operator	Mainframe Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Computer operator vs mainframe operator demographics

Here are the differences between computer operators' and mainframe operators' demographics:

	Computer Operator	Mainframe Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 66.0% Female, 34.0%	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 12.3% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 12.3% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between computer operator and mainframe operator duties and responsibilities

Computer operator example responsibilities.

Manage and control administration on DoD local, and wide area networks.
Manage peripheral operations of BARR systems (PC base RJE workstations), storage devices, and Litton laser printers.
Manage certificate revocation list, update expired certificates, ensuring DMS availability.
Manage multi-person team providing operational and investigative support to USAF and DoD counterparts.
Perform operator tasks, troubleshoot IMS, hardware, and system problems.
Serve in computer operations in supporting mainframe MVS, TPF, and VM operating systems.

Mainframe operator example responsibilities.

Manage local and remote output processing via JES2 node connections.
Lead the team for implementation of major enhancements with JCL, DB2, CICS and VSAM and documentation of the upgrades.
Monitor and correct production batch jobs with JCL, MVS, and JES3.
Monitor the MVS spooling system (JES2), security access (ACF2) and TCP/IP access and processing.
Monitor and address mainframe, VM systems issues.
Execute daily start-up of all CICS regions and ATM networks.

Computer operator vs mainframe operator skills

Common computer operator skills

CAD, 18%
Customer Service, 10%
Computer System, 9%
IBM Mainframe, 6%
Laser Printers, 4%
Unix, 4%

Common mainframe operator skills

Windows, 8%
Troubleshoot, 8%
JCL, 7%
IPL, 6%
Mainframe Operations, 6%
SLA, 5%