Console operator vs mainframe operator

The differences between console 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 console operator and a mainframe operator. Additionally, a mainframe operator has an average salary of $46,076, which is higher than the $43,202 average annual salary of a console operator.

The top three skills for a console operator include emergency situations, CCTV and telephone calls. The most important skills for a mainframe operator are windows, troubleshoot, and JCL.

Console operator vs mainframe operator overview

	Console Operator	Mainframe Operator
Yearly salary	$43,202	$46,076
Hourly rate	$20.77	$22.15
Growth rate	4%	-
Number of jobs	30,104	26,604
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Console operator vs mainframe operator salary

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

	Console Operator	Mainframe Operator
Average salary	$43,202	$46,076
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $58,000	Between $36,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between console operator and mainframe operator education

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

	Console Operator	Mainframe Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	Stanford University

Console operator vs mainframe operator demographics

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

	Console Operator	Mainframe Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 66.1% Female, 33.9%	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 console operator and mainframe operator duties and responsibilities

Console operator example responsibilities.

Interpret and respond to system messages through use of JES2, MVS, SDSF and automate commands.
Work with CICS, DB2, and IMS relate issues on a nightly basis.
Ensure CICS and IMS online applications are available per the published SLA agreements.
Initiate bounce SNA VTAM CICS IMS online network regions system state manager operations.
Handle all aspects of printing charter report, bank statements, payroll, and special invoices
Input tape mounts using JES commands.

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.

Console operator vs mainframe operator skills

Common console operator skills

Emergency Situations, 12%
CCTV, 7%
Telephone Calls, 6%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Computer System, 5%
Property Damage, 4%

Common mainframe operator skills

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