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The differences between senior inspectors and test operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior inspector has an average salary of $53,511, which is higher than the $35,591 average annual salary of a test operator.
The top three skills for a senior inspector include asphalt, traffic control and construction inspection. The most important skills for a test operator are test equipment, hand tools, and test procedures.
| Senior Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $53,511 | $35,591 |
| Hourly rate | $25.73 | $17.11 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 16,842 | 63,674 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
In the manufacturing industry, a senior inspector is responsible for performing quality assurance procedures to ensure that products adhere to the company's standards and regulations. Among their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data to study product specifications, performing various examinations and product assessments, identifying issues and inconsistencies, and providing advice to staff as needed. Besides conducting regular inspections, they must also produce progress reports, provide technical guidance and support, and develop quality assurance strategies. Moreover, as a senior inspector, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior inspectors while enforcing the company's policies.
The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement. Additionally, you will assemble electronics in their boxes and notify the quality/test engineer if the test yields below the acceptable levels.
Senior inspectors and test operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Average salary | $53,511 | $35,591 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $80,000 | Between $25,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newington, CT | Stratford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | PBF Energy | Qorvo |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior inspector and a test operator in terms of educational background:
| Senior Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between senior inspectors' and test operators' demographics:
| Senior Inspector | Test Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 54.0% 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% |