Post job

Owner/operator vs business owner

The differences between owner/operators and business owners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an owner/operator, becoming a business owner takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $50,934 average annual salary of a business owner.

The top three skills for an owner/operator include CDL, PET and customer service. The most important skills for a business owner are customer service, payroll, and financial statements.

Owner/operator vs business owner overview

Owner/OperatorBusiness Owner
Yearly salary$167,288$50,934
Hourly rate$80.43$24.49
Growth rate4%6%
Number of jobs119,599107,663
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4844
Years of experience26

What does an owner/operator do?

Owners/operators manage the business in all aspects, especially in those related to operations. They ensure that every aspect of the business is running smoothly. They oversee finance, marketing, logistics, sales, and even the human resources of the whole organization. They set business goals, create action plans to achieve them, and make sure that the plans are followed through. They set strategic direction and make business decisions that would be the most beneficial to the organization. They ensure that the business has enough funds to continue operating and that the quality of the products and services they offer continuously improve.

What does a business owner do?

Business owners, also known as Entrepreneurs, are responsible for their company and brand's success. There are many areas of responsibility when you're a business owner, such as in the aspects of planning and budgeting, arranging finances and legal documentation, and even hiring the workforce essential for the business to grow. However, these responsibilities will vary according to how a business owner will uphold them. Moreover, building a business from the ground up requires dedication and a vision and mission for the brand.

Owner/operator vs business owner salary

Owner/operators and business owners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorBusiness Owner
Average salary$167,288$50,934
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $27,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateOregonWashington
Best paying companyReddy IceBD
Best paying industryTechnologyRetail

Differences between owner/operator and business owner education

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

Owner/OperatorBusiness Owner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Owner/operator vs business owner demographics

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

Owner/OperatorBusiness Owner
Average age4844
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%10%

Differences between owner/operator and business owner duties and responsibilities

Owner/operator example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage a free subscription, advertising- base facsimile publication and franchising system.
  • Manage all inventory for eBay store, including its labeling, storage, sales, and overall organization.
  • Design, implement and manage processes base on ITIL best practices, standards and relate support tools across the organization.
  • Direct daily operations of four profit centers, managing all financial functions to include A/R, A/P, payroll and purchasing.
  • Create and manage print and electronic co-op advertising program
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Show more

Business owner example responsibilities.

  • Manage the budget and insure operations run smoothly.
  • Create, own and manage a LLC for grind pet transportation.
  • Establish and manage a beading boutique via the Internet by utilizing Photoshop to post designs on a personal website.
  • Manage sales, customer service, billing, A/P, A/R, vendor relations, negotiations, repairs, and maintenance.
  • Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
  • Handle all aspects from A/P to A/R, payroll, ordering and dealing with all distributors and city officials.
  • Show more

Owner/operator vs business owner skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common business owner skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • Payroll, 12%
  • Financial Statements, 9%
  • Business Plan, 7%
  • Business Model, 3%
  • Real Estate, 2%

Browse transportation jobs