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The differences between gallery assistants and assistant 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 gallery assistant and an assistant operator. Additionally, an assistant operator has an average salary of $37,607, which is higher than the $35,065 average annual salary of a gallery assistant.
The top three skills for a gallery assistant include artwork, press releases and front desk. The most important skills for an assistant operator are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Gallery Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,065 | $37,607 |
| Hourly rate | $16.86 | $18.08 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 26,034 | 88,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
In an art gallery, a gallery assistant is in charge of providing client assistance and administrative support. They typically greet and converse with visitors, discuss materials, answer inquiries, and assist in other services, all while exhibiting a professional and warm attitude. They may also coordinate programs and events, prepare and process documentation, liaise with external parties such as suppliers and distributors, and work together with designers and artists. Furthermore, a gallery assistant must manage the gallery while implementing its policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
Gallery assistants and assistant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Gallery Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,065 | $37,607 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $48,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Saint Xavier University | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Energy |
There are a few differences between a gallery assistant and an assistant operator in terms of educational background:
| Gallery Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Fine Arts | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between gallery assistants' and assistant operators' demographics:
| Gallery Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |