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The differences between 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 an operator, becoming an assistant operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an operator has an average salary of $37,928, which is higher than the $37,607 average annual salary of an assistant operator.
The top three skills for an operator include safety procedures, CDL and emergency calls. The most important skills for an assistant operator are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $37,928 | $37,607 |
| Hourly rate | $18.23 | $18.08 |
| Growth rate | 7% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 159,077 | 88,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 43 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
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.
Operators and assistant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average salary | $37,928 | $37,607 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $53,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an operator and an assistant operator in terms of educational background:
| Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between operators' and assistant operators' demographics:
| Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 4% | 6% |