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The differences between smt operators and production utility workers 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 $31,692 average annual salary of a production utility worker.
The top three skills for an smt operator include hand tools, PCB and reflow oven. The most important skills for a production utility worker are production process, pallets, and safety rules.
| SMT Operator | Production Utility Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $33,647 | $31,692 |
| Hourly rate | $16.18 | $15.24 |
| Growth rate | 2% | - |
| Number of jobs | 54,826 | 81,054 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| 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.
Professional utility workers have skills in customer service, safety procedures, and safety standards. Those in this career work to maintain a perpetually clean work area, comply with safety standards, inspect finished projects, repair and replace any broken equipment. A professional utility worker will also locate parts and tools to help improve workflows.
Smt operators and production utility workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| SMT Operator | Production Utility Worker | |
| Average salary | $33,647 | $31,692 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $44,000 | Between $25,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Monterey, CA | Vancouver, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Sanmina | Steel Dynamics |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Media |
There are a few differences between an smt operator and a production utility worker in terms of educational background:
| SMT Operator | Production Utility Worker | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between smt operators' and production utility workers' demographics:
| SMT Operator | Production Utility Worker | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0% | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% |
| 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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |