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The differences between maintenance operators and assistant 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 maintenance operator, becoming an assistant operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assistant operator has an average salary of $37,607, which is higher than the $35,420 average annual salary of a maintenance operator.
The top three skills for a maintenance operator include hand tools, CDL and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for an assistant operator are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Maintenance Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,420 | $37,607 |
| Hourly rate | $17.03 | $18.08 |
| Growth rate | 5% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 142,679 | 88,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 47 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Maintenance operators are skilled technicians who use a variety of small equipment and tools to perform and assist in the maintenance activities of a business establishment. These operators are required to assist the equipment manager in preparing preventative maintenance procedures so that they can increase productivity and reduce downtime of equipment. They must enforce safety rules and regulations and ensure that staff members are following them to prevent accidents in the facility. Maintenance operators must also train maintenance employees in performing proper preventative maintenance.
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.
Maintenance operators and assistant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Maintenance Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,420 | $37,607 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $47,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Continental Resources | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a maintenance operator and an assistant operator in terms of educational background:
| Maintenance Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between maintenance operators' and assistant operators' demographics:
| Maintenance Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 | 2% | 6% |