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Shop worker vs smt operator

The differences between shop workers and smt operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an smt operator has an average salary of $33,647, which is higher than the $31,850 average annual salary of a shop worker.

The top three skills for a shop worker include tape measure, safety procedures and in-shop. The most important skills for an smt operator are hand tools, PCB, and reflow oven.

Shop worker vs smt operator overview

Shop WorkerSMT Operator
Yearly salary$31,850$33,647
Hourly rate$15.31$16.18
Growth rate-2%
Number of jobs73,16154,826
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Associate Degree, 32%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a shop worker do?

A shop worker may work in a wholesale or retail shop to provide customer service. They welcome guests, maintain their store's cleanliness, and ensure stock levels are maintained. They may also be responsible for ringing customers up.

What does an smt operator do?

Surface mount technology (SMT) operators monitor and maintain any equipment used in establishing SMT electronic circuits. The task of SMT operators involves SMT machine operation to mount electronic components onto the circuit boards. They mount assembled components like resistors, capacitors, transistors, and integrated circuits on the chassis panel. Also, they collaborate with technicians and engineers on PCB's for critical defect data. They are expected to have skills and knowledge about circuit boards, reflow ovens, and electronic components.

Shop worker vs smt operator salary

Shop workers and smt operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Shop WorkerSMT Operator
Average salary$31,850$33,647
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $41,000Between $25,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityEverett, WAMonterey, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyShiptSanmina
Best paying industryManufacturingPharmaceutical

Differences between shop worker and smt operator education

There are a few differences between a shop worker and an smt operator in terms of educational background:

Shop WorkerSMT Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Associate Degree, 32%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Shop worker vs smt operator demographics

Here are the differences between shop workers' and smt operators' demographics:

Shop WorkerSMT Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 76.5% Female, 23.5%Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.9% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 7.7% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between shop worker and smt operator duties and responsibilities

Shop worker example responsibilities.

  • Used calipers and gauges to make sure parts are within specs.
  • Record transactions in POS system from both in shop and drive thru orders.
  • Used FeatureCAM to prepare parts modele by students to be CNC mill with greater precision than if machine manually.
  • Transform the blueprint or sketch from a design into a useable product by cutting, shaping and assembling steel.
  • Assist shop manager in making of jigs, cut lists, and machining plans to ensure productivity and quality control.
  • Operate various machines such as drill presses, table saws, CNC routers and forklifts, safely in a busy warehouse.
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Smt operator example responsibilities.

  • Lead pace lines in packaging OEM products.
  • Comply with company's standards of ESD, IPC-A-610, work instructions and ISO procedures and policies.
  • Hand assemble and run diagnostic tests on various electronic components.
  • Follow practices to ensure AIB, ISO standards are being meet and excel.
  • Replace damage, missing, misplace and wrong used/mount resistors and capacitors and other different components.
  • Mount components such as transformers, resistors, capacitors, integrate circuits and sockets on panel or print circuit board.
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Shop worker vs smt operator skills

Common shop worker skills
  • Tape Measure, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • In-Shop, 6%
  • Delivery Orders, 6%
  • Pro Shop, 5%
  • Food Preparation, 5%
Common smt operator skills
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • PCB, 6%
  • Reflow Oven, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
  • IPC-A-610, 5%
  • Circuit Board Assemblies, 4%

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