Formation testing operator vs lead inspector

The differences between formation testing operators and lead inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead inspector has an average salary of $51,148, which is higher than the $35,197 average annual salary of a formation testing operator.

The top three skills for a formation testing operator include customer specifications, color accuracy and battery cells. The most important skills for a lead inspector are NDT, API, and NDE.

Formation testing operator vs lead inspector overview

	Formation Testing Operator	Lead Inspector
Yearly salary	$35,197	$51,148
Hourly rate	$16.92	$24.59
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	27,193	17,734
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Formation testing operator vs lead inspector salary

Formation testing operators and lead inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Formation Testing Operator	Lead Inspector
Average salary	$35,197	$51,148
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $47,000	Between $35,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	-	West Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Parsons
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between formation testing operator and lead inspector education

There are a few differences between a formation testing operator and a lead inspector in terms of educational background:

	Formation Testing Operator	Lead Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Formation testing operator vs lead inspector demographics

Here are the differences between formation testing operators' and lead inspectors' demographics:

	Formation Testing Operator	Lead Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%	Male, 76.9% Female, 23.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.5% Asian, 6.9% White, 52.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between formation testing operator and lead inspector duties and responsibilities

Formation testing operator example responsibilities.

Provide assistance with file conversions using metaprint and AutoCAD.
Implement tool control and OSHA safety regulations while working independently on various machinery.
Experience with laminating, extrusion and multi-color printing.

Lead inspector example responsibilities.

Manage survey crews on prelim route survey, and HDD core sample crews.
Coordinate joint surveys with SATORP inspectors and manage clearance of all issue active LBE and NCR.
Authore numerous new corporate NDT procedures, update procedures and administer all NDE corporate activities.
Comply with all AS9100 and NADCAP requirements.
Inspect articles to correct design, tooling and jigs.
Total of 7 HDD crossings and 2 major highway crossings.

Formation testing operator vs lead inspector skills

Common formation testing operator skills

Customer Specifications, 57%
Color Accuracy, 40%
Battery Cells, 3%

Common lead inspector skills

NDT, 7%
API, 6%
NDE, 5%
Inspection Reports, 5%
III, 5%
Corrective Action, 4%

Formation Testing Operator vs. similar jobs

Formation Testing Operator related careers

Formation Testing Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Formation Testing Operator
Formation Testing Operator vs Lead Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs