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The differences between smt operators and production employees 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 $32,872 average annual salary of a production employee.
The top three skills for an smt operator include hand tools, PCB and reflow oven. The most important skills for a production employee are production floor, quality standards, and safety standards.
| SMT Operator | Production Employee | |
| Yearly salary | $33,647 | $32,872 |
| Hourly rate | $16.18 | $15.80 |
| Growth rate | 2% | - |
| Number of jobs | 54,826 | 75,730 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
In a manufacturing setting, a production employee is in charge of assembling and processing products, ensuring efficiency and timelines. Their responsibilities include adhering to guidelines and blueprints, monitoring the products for any defects or inconsistencies, operating machines and equipment, keeping an eye on the assembly line, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, as a production employee, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating every step of the way, and alerting managers should there be any problems.
Smt operators and production employees have different pay scales, as shown below.
| SMT Operator | Production Employee | |
| Average salary | $33,647 | $32,872 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $44,000 | Between $25,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Monterey, CA | Cleveland, OH |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Sanmina | Steel Dynamics |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an smt operator and a production employee in terms of educational background:
| SMT Operator | Production Employee | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between smt operators' and production employees' demographics:
| SMT Operator | Production Employee | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0% | Male, 69.6% Female, 30.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 7.9% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |