Rocket engine tester vs test operator

The differences between rocket engine testers and test operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rocket engine tester has an average salary of $55,241, which is higher than the $35,591 average annual salary of a test operator.

The top three skills for a rocket engine tester include mechanical design, CAD and . The most important skills for a test operator are test equipment, hand tools, and test procedures.

Rocket engine tester vs test operator overview

	Rocket Engine Tester	Test Operator
Yearly salary	$55,241	$35,591
Hourly rate	$26.56	$17.11
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	8,659	63,674
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Associate Degree, 31%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Rocket engine tester vs test operator salary

Rocket engine testers and test operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Rocket Engine Tester	Test Operator
Average salary	$55,241	$35,591
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $113,000	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 rocket engine tester and test operator education

There are a few differences between a rocket engine tester and a test operator in terms of educational background:

	Rocket Engine Tester	Test Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Associate Degree, 31%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Rocket engine tester vs test operator demographics

Here are the differences between rocket engine testers' and test operators' demographics:

	Rocket Engine Tester	Test Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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 rocket engine tester and test operator duties and responsibilities

Rocket engine tester example responsibilities.

Work with the inter-departments with DOD, OHSA, and EPA to submit proposal for a new heavy lift vehicle.
Work closely with NASA customers and ATK personnel to recommend solutions to difficult issues in redesign.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

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.

Rocket engine tester vs test operator skills

Common rocket engine tester skills

Mechanical Design, 62%
CAD, 38%

Common test operator skills

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