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The differences between inspectors and test operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inspector has an average salary of $38,757, which is higher than the $35,591 average annual salary of a test operator.
The top three skills for an inspector include sketch, good communication and magnetic particle. The most important skills for a test operator are test equipment, hand tools, and test procedures.
| Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,757 | $35,591 |
| Hourly rate | $18.63 | $17.11 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 17,670 | 63,674 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An inspector is responsible for overseeing the overall condition of the site, ensuring that it complies with the safety standards and regulations. Inspectors' duties include monitoring the quality of the materials used, inspecting any defects and discrepancies that might compromise the operations, generating reports to assess the product costing if it meets the budget goals, and utilizing available resources in the market for the highest quality project. An inspector must have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform comprehensive actions on risk management and service delivery.
The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement. Additionally, you will assemble electronics in their boxes and notify the quality/test engineer if the test yields below the acceptable levels.
Inspectors and test operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,757 | $35,591 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $54,000 | Between $25,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | Stratford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Louisiana | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | Qorvo |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between an inspector and a test operator in terms of educational background:
| Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between inspectors' and test operators' demographics:
| Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 10.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |