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The differences between lead operators and leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a lead operator and a leader. Additionally, a lead operator has an average salary of $88,429, which is higher than the $86,964 average annual salary of a leader.
The top three skills for a lead operator include customer service, HR and process improvement. The most important skills for a leader are customer service, strong time management, and excellent interpersonal.
| Lead Operator | Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $88,429 | $86,964 |
| Hourly rate | $42.51 | $41.81 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 87,338 | 172,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Lead operators are responsible for the direction and supervision of the day-to-day activities in facilities. As machine operators, they control machines and take charge of industrial operations. They handle and move objects, monitor processes, and inspect materials, structures, and equipment. Also, they may serve as mentors for the new production employees concerning occupational health and safety. They must be skilled in safety procedures, heavy equipment, preventive maintenance, and other things related to machine operations.
Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.
Lead operators and leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Operator | Leader | |
| Average salary | $88,429 | $86,964 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $142,000 | Between $49,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Maine |
| Best paying company | Meta | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a lead operator and a leader in terms of educational background:
| Lead Operator | Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between lead operators' and leaders' demographics:
| Lead Operator | Leader | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5% | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |