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Owner/operator vs operating partner

The differences between owner/operators and operating partners 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 an operating partner takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $93,101 average annual salary of an operating partner.

The top three skills for an owner/operator include CDL, PET and customer service. The most important skills for an operating partner are project management, shared services, and digital marketing.

Owner/operator vs operating partner overview

Owner/OperatorOperating Partner
Yearly salary$167,288$93,101
Hourly rate$80.43$44.76
Growth rate4%6%
Number of jobs119,599144,208
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
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 an operating partner do?

An operating partner coordinates a portfolio company's efforts and serves as the liaison between private equity firms. They typically assess and manage teams, set objectives, establish guidelines and timelines, conduct market research and analyses, and assist teams in developing various operational strategies. They also gather and analyze extensive data, identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing processes, recommend solutions against problem areas, and create methods to optimize operations. Moreover, an operating partner must maintain an active communication line with staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Owner/operator vs operating partner salary

Owner/operators and operating partners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/OperatorOperating Partner
Average salary$167,288$93,101
Salary rangeBetween $105,000 And $264,000Between $55,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTNew York, NY
Highest paying stateOregonVirginia
Best paying companyReddy IceTeradata
Best paying industryTechnologyHospitality

Differences between owner/operator and operating partner education

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

Owner/OperatorOperating Partner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Owner/operator vs operating partner demographics

Here are the differences between owner/operators' and operating partners' demographics:

Owner/OperatorOperating Partner
Average age4844
Gender ratioMale, 66.8% Female, 33.2%Male, 78.8% Female, 21.2%
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, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%10%

Differences between owner/operator and operating partner 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

Operating partner example responsibilities.

  • Manage operations for BOH & FOH, set up venues POS system.
  • Manage all operations, logistics, shop, field service, maintenance, repair and machine shop.
  • Establish, manage and coordinate activities of this start-up management company specializing in turning around trouble health insurance plans.
  • Negotiate and determine the programming for POS system.
  • Develop responsible supply ordering payroll forecasting to adjust for changing market conditions.
  • Create overall budget for each individual program/initiative along with all logistics, operations and execution.
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Owner/operator vs operating partner skills

Common owner/operator skills
  • CDL, 57%
  • PET, 16%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 1%
  • Windows, 1%
Common operating partner skills
  • Project Management, 16%
  • Shared Services, 10%
  • Digital Marketing, 9%
  • Facebook, 9%
  • Human Resources, 8%
  • Payroll, 7%

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