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The differences between smt operators and production 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 $30,847 average annual salary of a production worker.
The top three skills for an smt operator include hand tools, PCB and reflow oven. The most important skills for a production worker are production process, safety procedures, and assembly line.
| SMT Operator | Production Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $33,647 | $30,847 |
| Hourly rate | $16.18 | $14.83 |
| Growth rate | 2% | - |
| Number of jobs | 54,826 | 136,584 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| 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.
Production workers are employees who are usually seen in an assembly line in a company's factory. They are responsible for a specific part of the production of goods for the company. They ensure that production processes are being followed. Production workers are required to be efficient, detail-oriented, and organized. They should be able to uphold the quality standards set by the company and should be able to conduct quality control checks. Should they be working alongside machines, and they must know how to operate the machine as well as maintain it. Production workers should also be familiar with occupational safety and health guidelines and must be able to follow policies and procedures in place.
Smt operators and production workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| SMT Operator | Production Worker | |
| Average salary | $33,647 | $30,847 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $44,000 | Between $24,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Monterey, CA | Tacoma, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Sanmina | BD |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an smt operator and a production worker in terms of educational background:
| SMT Operator | Production Worker | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between smt operators' and production workers' demographics:
| SMT Operator | Production Worker | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0% | Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |