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Operations engineer vs operations manager

The differences between operations engineers and operations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an operations engineer and an operations manager. Additionally, an operations engineer has an average salary of $91,522, which is higher than the $76,894 average annual salary of an operations manager.

The top three skills for an operations engineer include python, cloud and AWS. The most important skills for an operations manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.

Operations engineer vs operations manager overview

Operations EngineerOperations Manager
Yearly salary$91,522$76,894
Hourly rate$44.00$36.97
Growth rate2%6%
Number of jobs155,188343,868
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4144
Years of experience66

What does an operations engineer do?

An operations engineer is an individual who is responsible for ensuring that the operations of a company are working properly in industries such as manufacturing or shipping. Operations engineers are required to handle repairs or upgrades to the company's machinery and coordinate with department heads to assist in fine-tuning their operations system. When they have upgraded their system, operations engineers should conduct training with managers as well as employees and other workers. They are also required to examine machinery for defects and communicate maintenance schedules with department heads.

What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers are in charge of running the main business of the organization. They ensure that the business is running smoothly from an operations standpoint. They make sure that the processes in place produce the necessary output by implementing quality control measures. They also manage finances and ensure that there is enough budget to keep the operations of the business running. They also ensure that the production of goods or services is cost-efficient. Operations managers also handle people-related concerns. They are responsible for interviewing candidates, choosing the ones to hire, and ensuring that individuals assigned to operations are properly trained.

Operations engineer vs operations manager salary

Operations engineers and operations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Operations EngineerOperations Manager
Average salary$91,522$76,894
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $132,000Between $47,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaDelaware
Best paying companyAppleMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between operations engineer and operations manager education

There are a few differences between an operations engineer and an operations manager in terms of educational background:

Operations EngineerOperations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeMichigan Technological UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Operations engineer vs operations manager demographics

Here are the differences between operations engineers' and operations managers' demographics:

Operations EngineerOperations Manager
Average age4144
Gender ratioMale, 89.9% Female, 10.1%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 10.6% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage5%10%

Differences between operations engineer and operations manager duties and responsibilities

Operations engineer example responsibilities.

  • Design, implement, and manage an enterprise class DNS and DHCP solution.
  • Used bug tracking tool JIRA to manage and track all the bugs by creating bug tickets.
  • Manage network cabling and server racking for both Ethernet and optical configurations for SAN and EMC.
  • Manage VMWARE ESXi servers to allocate virtual resources to developers, QA team and maximize the performances.
  • Create LabVIEW programs to automate test and characterization of optical components, perform testing, and analyze data.
  • Contribute PowerShell functions to a PowerShell module used to automate software upgrades.
  • Show more

Operations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and lead operations that include performance management, organizational development, employment compliance, employee relations, payroll management.
  • Manage 2HVAC system retrofit replacement teams.
  • Manage all invoices, A/P, A/R and other accounting duties.
  • Manage computer operation teams supporting propriety and DoD programs at the Lewisville site.
  • Manage 45 person division and day to day operations of scheduling, communications, A/R, A/P and customer care.
  • Manage the export booking and documentation department ensuring smooth on-time delivery.
  • Show more

Operations engineer vs operations manager skills

Common operations engineer skills
  • Python, 9%
  • Cloud, 6%
  • AWS, 5%
  • Linux, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
  • HVAC, 4%
Common operations manager skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Logistics, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%

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