Launch operator vs head operator

The differences between launch operators and head operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a launch operator, becoming a head operator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a head operator has an average salary of $138,787, which is higher than the $72,155 average annual salary of a launch operator.

The top three skills for a launch operator include boats, coast guard and GPS. The most important skills for a head operator are analytics, customer service, and project management.

Launch operator vs head operator overview

	Launch Operator	Head Operator
Yearly salary	$72,155	$138,787
Hourly rate	$34.69	$66.72
Growth rate	1%	6%
Number of jobs	30,437	101,974
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	42	44
Years of experience	4	6

Launch operator vs head operator salary

Launch operators and head operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Launch Operator	Head Operator
Average salary	$72,155	$138,787
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $166,000	Between $79,000 And $243,000
Highest paying City	-	Providence, RI
Highest paying state	-	Rhode Island
Best paying company	-	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between launch operator and head operator education

There are a few differences between a launch operator and a head operator in terms of educational background:

	Launch Operator	Head Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	University of Pennsylvania

Launch operator vs head operator demographics

Here are the differences between launch operators' and head operators' demographics:

	Launch Operator	Head Operator
Average age	42	44
Gender ratio	Male, 74.3% Female, 25.7%	Male, 78.6% Female, 21.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	10%

Differences between launch operator and head operator duties and responsibilities

Launch operator example responsibilities.

Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

Head operator example responsibilities.

Manage all social media outlets (Facebook.
Lead the road-map to SaaS offering and implement DevOps.
Manage technology build out of new office space and data center facilities for Americas.
Manage all purchase orders, inventory, A/P, A/R, payroll, and all credit card forms.
Manage all security and compliance relate items including SOX, HIPAA, internal controls, and FDA validation requirements.
Design and implement disaster recovery in the cloud and manage routine maintenance of the cloud environment and business relationship.

Launch operator vs head operator skills

Common launch operator skills

Boats, 32%
Coast Guard, 16%
GPS, 16%
Missile, 14%
Technical Knowledge, 8%
Routine Maintenance, 7%

Common head operator skills

Analytics, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Project Management, 7%
Oversight, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
KPIs, 6%

Launch Operator vs. similar jobs

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What similar roles do

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Transportation Industry
Launch Operator
Launch Operator vs Head Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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