Switch operator vs signal operator

The differences between switch operators and signal operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a signal operator has an average salary of $47,324, which is higher than the $47,066 average annual salary of a switch operator.

The top three skills for a switch operator include switches, encryption and telecommunication. The most important skills for a signal operator are signals intelligence, intelligence data, and intelligence reports.

Switch operator vs signal operator overview

	Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Yearly salary	$47,066	$47,324
Hourly rate	$22.63	$22.75
Growth rate	-2%	-2%
Number of jobs	25,666	31,263
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	-	-

Switch operator vs signal operator salary

Switch operators and signal operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Average salary	$47,066	$47,324
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $87,000	Between $30,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between switch operator and signal operator education

There are a few differences between a switch operator and a signal operator in terms of educational background:

	Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Business	Communications Technology
Most common college	-	-

Switch operator vs signal operator demographics

Here are the differences between switch operators' and signal operators' demographics:

	Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0%	Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.7% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 17.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	21%	21%

Differences between switch operator and signal operator duties and responsibilities

Switch operator example responsibilities.

Supervise a team of ten soldiers in the day-to-day operations of a commercial SL-100 Nortel telephone switch.
Provide gateway for both LAN and X.25 subscribers.
Insure technicians obtain proper training through NORTEL training courses.
Interpret computer printouts to troubleshoot, repair, and replace faulty line replaceable units.
Set up data networks/wires in buildings to have computers and VOIP phones link together.
Perform monthly evaluations and provide network training and orientation to new soldiers and DOD contractors.

Signal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Operate as a SME on LLVI operations and equipment.
Provide ISR threat warning support and interface with other units.
Perform SIGINT collection according to current CCP assign by the CRC.
Perform identification, acquisition, recording, analysis and reporting of assign ISR tasks.
Intercept information from classify sources, processing and analyzing information and packaging and sending to NSA.

Switch operator vs signal operator skills

Common switch operator skills

Switches, 15%
Encryption, 15%
Telecommunication, 14%
Hand Tools, 13%
Rail Cars, 9%
Secret Security Clearance, 5%

Common signal operator skills

Signals Intelligence, 29%
Intelligence Data, 27%
Intelligence Reports, 20%
SIGINT, 15%
Top Secret, 4%
Communications Equipment, 3%

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Transportation Industry
Switch Operator
Switch Operator vs Signal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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