Launch operator vs senior operator

The differences between launch operators and senior operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a launch operator and a senior operator. Additionally, a senior operator has an average salary of $85,677, 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 senior operator are safety procedures, math, and powerpoint.

Launch operator vs senior operator overview

	Launch Operator	Senior Operator
Yearly salary	$72,155	$85,677
Hourly rate	$34.69	$41.19
Growth rate	1%	7%
Number of jobs	30,437	45,548
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	42	43
Years of experience	4	4

Launch operator vs senior operator salary

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

	Launch Operator	Senior Operator
Average salary	$72,155	$85,677
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $166,000	Between $54,000 And $135,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between launch operator and senior operator education

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

	Launch Operator	Senior Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	Stanford University

Launch operator vs senior operator demographics

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

	Launch Operator	Senior Operator
Average age	42	43
Gender ratio	Male, 74.3% Female, 25.7%	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%
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, 17.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	11%	4%

Differences between launch operator and senior 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.

Senior operator example responsibilities.

Measure and inspect parts with calipers, scale, MRP, leads, micrometers and taper.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Operate QC testing equipment such as calipers and micrometers.
Experience with MVS and JES2 command sets, the weekly shutdown and initial power load of production systems.
Assist in migration to the LAN environment, perform quality control and JCL setup and interface with user and vendor communities.
Train with TSO, JES2, and UCC7.

Launch operator vs senior operator skills

Common launch operator skills

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

Common senior operator skills

Safety Procedures, 17%
Math, 8%
PowerPoint, 7%
Windows, 5%
Logistics, 5%
CDL, 5%

Launch Operator vs. similar jobs

Launch Operator related careers

Launch Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

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Transportation Industry
Launch Operator
Launch Operator vs Senior Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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