Pipe inspector vs test operator

The differences between pipe inspectors and test operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pipe inspector has an average salary of $48,756, which is higher than the $35,591 average annual salary of a test operator.

The top three skills for a pipe inspector include pipe systems, NDT and API. The most important skills for a test operator are test equipment, hand tools, and test procedures.

Pipe inspector vs test operator overview

	Pipe Inspector	Test Operator
Yearly salary	$48,756	$35,591
Hourly rate	$23.44	$17.11
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	17,382	63,674
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	Associate Degree, 31%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Pipe inspector vs test operator salary

Pipe inspectors and test operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pipe Inspector	Test Operator
Average salary	$48,756	$35,591
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $71,000	Between $25,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Stratford, CT
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Qorvo
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between pipe inspector and test operator education

There are a few differences between a pipe inspector and a test operator in terms of educational background:

	Pipe Inspector	Test Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	Associate Degree, 31%
Most common major	Business	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Pipe inspector vs test operator demographics

Here are the differences between pipe inspectors' and test operators' demographics:

	Pipe Inspector	Test Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6%	Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 24.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 10.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between pipe inspector and test operator duties and responsibilities

Pipe inspector example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain MRB process for all discrepant materials.
Flag for NDE if need for quality assurance.
Determine thickness measurement locations, evaluate NDE data to determine repairs to be make, writing history briefs and repair reports.
Perform regularly schedule packaging line audits to assure that product is being manufacture according to packaging specifications and GMP requirements.
Perform system upgrades several times on steam lines, condensers, air, gas and oil lines.

Test operator example responsibilities.

Box build sub-assembly level by solder wire into connector, lead, and fan according to MPI and visuals aid.
Experience following procedures and managing GMP documentation.
Work include new lay, tie-ins, repairs, CTS stations, ETS stations.
Install the new version software operation windows.
Complete NDT inspections using multiple inspection methods.
Trouble shoots and repair ICT failures to component level.

Pipe inspector vs test operator skills

Common pipe inspector skills

Pipe Systems, 32%
NDT, 9%
API, 9%
Drill Pipe, 7%
Rig, 6%
NDE, 4%

Common test operator skills

Test Equipment, 9%
Hand Tools, 7%
Test Procedures, 6%
Test Results, 5%
Safety Rules, 4%
Circuit Boards, 4%