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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 | Business Owner | |
| Yearly salary | $167,288 | $50,934 |
| Hourly rate | $80.43 | $24.49 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 119,599 | 107,663 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
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/operators and business owners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Owner/Operator | Business Owner | |
| Average salary | $167,288 | $50,934 |
| Salary range | Between $105,000 And $264,000 | Between $27,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bridgeport, CT | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Washington |
| Best paying company | Reddy Ice | BD |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between an owner/operator and a business owner in terms of educational background:
| Owner/Operator | Business Owner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between owner/operators' and business owners' demographics:
| Owner/Operator | Business Owner | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.8% Female, 33.2% | Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6% |
| Race ratio | Black 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 Percentage | 4% | 10% |