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The differences between planer operators and assistant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 3-6 months to become a planer operator, becoming an assistant operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a planer operator has an average salary of $46,309, which is higher than the $37,607 average annual salary of an assistant operator.
The top three skills for a planer operator include co-op, project management and supply chain. The most important skills for an assistant operator are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Planer Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $46,309 | $37,607 |
| Hourly rate | $22.26 | $18.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 28,742 | 88,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Planner operators are individuals tasked to set up and operate power-fed planer or facer machines to size and surface woodstock used in the production of furniture. The operators turn handwheels to make adjustments to table level, feed rolls, and pressure bars based on stock thickness and cut. They sharpen cutters on stone or abrasive wheel. Their duties may also include operating circular saw for Woodstock defect removal and signaling coworker to stop feeding stock into the planer upon jam occurrence.
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
Planer operators and assistant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Planer Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average salary | $46,309 | $37,607 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $66,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a planer operator and an assistant operator in terms of educational background:
| Planer Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between planer operators' and assistant operators' demographics:
| Planer Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average age | 40 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 3.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |