Post job

Owner vs co-owner/operator

The differences between owners and co-owner/operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become an owner, becoming a co-owner/operator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an owner has an average salary of $90,334, which is higher than the $32,256 average annual salary of a co-owner/operator.

The top three skills for an owner include customer service, payroll and financial statements. The most important skills for a co-owner/operator are co-op, patients, and data analysis.

Owner vs co-owner/operator overview

OwnerCo-Owner/Operator
Yearly salary$90,334$32,256
Hourly rate$43.43$15.51
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs86,48695,615
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age5244
Years of experience-6

What does an owner do?

Owners, in the most basic sense, own the business, company, or organization. They are responsible for building the business. They create business plans and the general vision and mission of the company, set goals, work on these goals, and ensure that the business keeps running. They manage all aspects of their business, from finances to marketing to people, etc. When the business becomes stable, owners eventually hire more employees. As such, owners also become overseers who would ensure that the organization remains afloat.

What does a co-owner/operator do?

A co-owner/operator is responsible for delivering goods and services for the companies using their trucks and vehicles. Co-owner/operators ensure timely merchandise deliveries, check the quantity and quality of the cargo, and follow routes accordingly. They also inspect vehicle conditions, identify any inconsistencies, and perform troubleshooting for malfunction for immediate repair or replacement of components to prevent deliveries delays. A co-owner/operator must have clean driving records, adhering to the road's safety regulations.

Owner vs co-owner/operator salary

Owners and co-owner/operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

OwnerCo-Owner/Operator
Average salary$90,334$32,256
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $135,000Between $21,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYRahway, NJ
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyBP America IncBorgWarner
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between owner and co-owner/operator education

There are a few differences between an owner and a co-owner/operator in terms of educational background:

OwnerCo-Owner/Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Owner vs co-owner/operator demographics

Here are the differences between owners' and co-owner/operators' demographics:

OwnerCo-Owner/Operator
Average age5244
Gender ratioMale, 63.1% Female, 36.9%Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%10%

Differences between owner and co-owner/operator duties and responsibilities

Owner example responsibilities.

  • Manage web content and a PHP / MySQL application.
  • Create and develop a website to help clients easily manage their instagram account to gain exposure.
  • Execute all social media marketing and manage the company Facebook page/campaigns.
  • Manage human resource functions by generating payroll, scheduling and upholding company policies.
  • License Maryland home improvement contractor managing a small home improvement business that specializes in doors and windows.
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Show more

Co-owner/operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage shipping and warehousing for the entire U.S., as well as A/R & A/P.
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Perform renovations and finishing work, roof work, windows, siding and much more.
  • Developed/Maintain Facebook page for marketing/advertising.
  • Developed/Maintain Facebook page for marketing/advertising.

Owner vs co-owner/operator skills

Common owner skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Payroll, 17%
  • Financial Statements, 8%
  • Product Development, 7%
  • Real Estate, 3%
  • Business Development, 3%
Common co-owner/operator skills
  • Co-Op, 35%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Data Analysis, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Python, 4%
  • C++, 3%

Browse executive management jobs