Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The average salary for an Assistant Operator is currently $37,607 per year. This figure represents a standard rate but can fluctuate based on geographical location, industry sector, and years of experience. For instance, Assistant Operators in high-demand areas or specific industries may earn significantly more.
Assistant Operators typically start at lower salary ranges, but with experience, they can see substantial increases. Entry-level positions may offer around $30,000 annually, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $45,000.
States such as California and New York often provide higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor. Additionally, industries such as manufacturing and technology tend to pay more compared to other sectors.
According to various sources, salaries can vary widely; therefore, it is essential to research specific job markets and roles. For those considering a career as an Assistant Operator, understanding these dynamics can assist in making informed career choices.
Let Zippi find your next assistant operator job
Let Zippi find your next assistant operator job
The average assistant operator salary in Connecticut, California, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average assistant operator salary states are Delaware, Idaho, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $49,822 | $23.95 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $54,698 | $26.30 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $45,839 | $22.04 |
| 4 | Alaska | $47,954 | $23.05 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $46,213 | $22.22 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $44,366 | $21.33 |
| 7 | New York | $47,915 | $23.04 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $51,232 | $24.63 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $40,109 | $19.28 |
| 10 | Vermont | $46,984 | $22.59 |
| 11 | Washington | $49,926 | $24.00 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $45,732 | $21.99 |
| 13 | California | $49,931 | $24.01 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $43,635 | $20.98 |
| 15 | Utah | $40,471 | $19.46 |
| 16 | Oregon | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| 17 | Maine | $40,598 | $19.52 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $38,854 | $18.68 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $41,402 | $19.90 |
| 20 | Iowa | $36,716 | $17.65 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $41,629 | $20.01 |
| 22 | Missouri | $38,516 | $18.52 |
| 23 | Illinois | $38,962 | $18.73 |
| 24 | Kansas | $37,821 | $18.18 |
| 25 | Arizona | $39,012 | $18.76 |
| 26 | Colorado | $40,319 | $19.38 |
| 27 | Ohio | $34,786 | $16.72 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $36,233 | $17.42 |
| 29 | Nevada | $37,589 | $18.07 |
| 30 | Indiana | $34,578 | $16.62 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $37,195 | $17.88 |
| 32 | Alabama | $37,057 | $17.82 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $38,657 | $18.59 |
| 34 | Texas | $36,935 | $17.76 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $34,769 | $16.72 |
| 36 | Maryland | $39,921 | $19.19 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $33,402 | $16.06 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $35,087 | $16.87 |
| 39 | Florida | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 40 | Virginia | $38,072 | $18.30 |
| 41 | Georgia | $34,756 | $16.71 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $33,592 | $16.15 |
| 43 | Michigan | $33,553 | $16.13 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $33,892 | $16.29 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $30,368 | $14.60 |
| 46 | Idaho | $32,645 | $15.69 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $34,402 | $16.54 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $31,900 | $15.34 |
| 49 | Montana | $31,826 | $15.30 |
| 50 | Delaware | $32,729 | $15.74 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $28,790 | $13.84 |
The highest-paying cities for assistant operators are San Jose, CA, Albany, NY, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $51,981 | $24.99 |
| 2 | Albany, NY | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $45,889 | $22.06 |
| 4 | Williston, ND | $45,745 | $21.99 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $43,383 | $20.86 |
| 6 | De Pere, WI | $41,294 | $19.85 |
| 7 | West Valley City, UT | $40,487 | $19.46 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $40,314 | $19.38 |
| 9 | Des Plaines, IL | $39,304 | $18.90 |
| 10 | Hobbs, NM | $38,544 | $18.53 |
| 11 | Virginia Beach, VA | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | $37,314 | $17.94 |
| 13 | Lancaster, TX | $36,944 | $17.76 |
| 14 | Iowa City, IA | $36,689 | $17.64 |
| 15 | Raleigh, NC | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| 16 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,354 | $17.48 |
| 17 | Jackson, MS | $35,134 | $16.89 |
| 18 | Gainesville, GA | $34,818 | $16.74 |
| 19 | Lancaster, PA | $34,587 | $16.63 |
| 20 | Shreveport, LA | $34,585 | $16.63 |
An assistant operator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $37,607 | $3,134 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
The highest paying types of assistant operators are plant operator, relief operator, and train operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Operator | $37,866 | $3,155 | $18.20 | 66,532 |
| Relief Operator | $42,693 | $3,558 | $20.53 | 64,469 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Laser Operator | $34,813 | $2,901 | $16.74 | 56,479 |
| Mill Operator | $39,045 | $3,254 | $18.77 | 64,574 |
| Machine Operator | $32,874 | $2,740 | $15.80 | 96,834 |
Top companies hiring assistant operators now:
Assistant operator salaries at Massachusetts General Hospital and University of California, Berkeley are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average assistant operator salary at companies like BD and Turner Construction are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $48,907 | $23.51 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $48,814 | $23.47 |
| 3 | BD | $48,353 | $23.25 |
| 4 | Turner Construction | $45,825 | $22.03 |
| 5 | New York State Restaurant Association | $45,422 | $21.84 |
| 6 | Expro | $43,879 | $21.10 |
| 7 | Green Bay Packaging | $41,453 | $19.93 |
| 8 | Nomaco | $41,358 | $19.88 |
| 9 | International Paper | $40,803 | $19.62 |
| 10 | Performance Contracting | $40,445 | $19.44 |
| 11 | Badger Daylighting | $40,218 | $19.34 |
| 12 | Post Holdings | $40,132 | $19.29 |
| 13 | Carnegie Mellon University | $39,991 | $19.23 |
| 14 | China Mobile | $39,927 | $19.20 |
| 15 | Owens Corning | $39,899 | $19.18 |
| 16 | City of Rochester MN | $39,786 | $19.13 |
| 17 | The Bryce Company Llc | $39,748 | $19.11 |
| 18 | Partners Healthcare Solutions Inc | $39,748 | $19.11 |
| 19 | Beth Israel Lahey Health | $39,748 | $19.11 |
| 20 | PDS Tech | $39,715 | $19.09 |
The average assistant operator salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy | $43,976 | $21.14 |
| 2 | Media | $39,982 | $19.22 |
| 3 | Telecommunication | $39,447 | $18.96 |
| 4 | Transportation | $37,857 | $18.20 |
| 5 | Manufacturing | $37,626 | $18.09 |
The average assistant operator salary has risen by $6,756 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average assistant operator earned $30,851 annually, but today, they earn $37,607 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for assistant operators over the last decade.
Compare assistant operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare assistant operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,600 | $18.08 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $36,500 | $17.54 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $35,500 | $17.05 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $34,500 | $16.56 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $33,700 | $16.20 | +2.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Krono Usa | KT Assistant Operator | Barnwell, SC | 06/29/2025 | $40,697 |
| Aerotek | Assistant Operator | Holyoke, MA | 06/28/2025 | $43,660 |
| Swiss Krono | KT Assistant Operator | Barnwell, SC | 06/28/2025 | $40,697 |
| 4 Over LLC | Press Assistant Operator (Feeder Operator)-3Rd Shift | Los Angeles, CA | 06/27/2025 | $39,653 |
| Auria | Airlay Assistant Operator-Night Shift | Old Fort, NC | 06/27/2025 | $39,757 |
| State of New York | Administrative Assistant 1, Administrative Assistant Trainee 1 (NY Helps), Box OP | Albany, NY | 06/26/2025 | $47,695 |
| Sonoco Products Co | Assistant Operator-3Rd Shift | Tiffin, OH | 06/25/2025 | $38,484 |
| Badger Daylighting | Assistant Hydrovac Operator | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/25/2025 | $48,001 |
| Colorado Christian University | Assistant Registrar-Operations | Lakewood, CO | 06/25/2025 | $42,784 |
| Apple | Assistant Operation Supervisor | New York, NY | 06/24/2025 | $51,132 |
Search for assistant operator jobs