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The differences between studio assistants and assistant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a studio assistant and an assistant operator. Additionally, an assistant operator has an average salary of $37,607, which is higher than the $31,701 average annual salary of a studio assistant.
The top three skills for a studio assistant include adobe photoshop, product photography and photo shoots. The most important skills for an assistant operator are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Studio Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $31,701 | $37,607 |
| Hourly rate | $15.24 | $18.08 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 26,770 | 88,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Studio assistants are junior-level professionals who work in studios to provide assistance functions to studio staff and designers. These assistants must maintain and manage studio equipment or instruments while inspecting them to ensure quality assurance. They organize photoshoots by assisting senior photographers and studio managers to set up equipment and styling of models. In an audio recording, these assistants are required to maintain and calibrate audio equipment such as speakers, mixers, and specialized audio hardware. Studio assistants must also coordinate with graphic designers to assist company owners with graphic design and photography projects.
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
Studio assistants and assistant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Studio Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Average salary | $31,701 | $37,607 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $48,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Glen Cove, NY | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | School of Visual Concepts | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Energy |
There are a few differences between a studio assistant and an assistant operator in terms of educational background:
| Studio Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Fine Arts | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between studio assistants' and assistant operators' demographics:
| Studio Assistant | Assistant Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |