Tape operator vs data center operator

The differences between tape operators and data center 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 tape operator and a data center operator. Additionally, a tape operator has an average salary of $60,356, which is higher than the $46,763 average annual salary of a data center operator.

The top three skills for a tape operator include tape library, troubleshoot and mainframe. The most important skills for a data center operator are customer service, infrastructure, and escalate.

Tape operator vs data center operator overview

	Tape Operator	Data Center Operator
Yearly salary	$60,356	$46,763
Hourly rate	$29.02	$22.48
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	26,204	120,016
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Tape operator vs data center operator salary

Tape operators and data center operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tape Operator	Data Center Operator
Average salary	$60,356	$46,763
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $93,000	Between $29,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between tape operator and data center operator education

There are a few differences between a tape operator and a data center operator in terms of educational background:

	Tape Operator	Data Center Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Photography	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Tape operator vs data center operator demographics

Here are the differences between tape operators' and data center operators' demographics:

	Tape Operator	Data Center Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1%	Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 12.3% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 12.3% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between tape operator and data center operator duties and responsibilities

Tape operator example responsibilities.

Create large quantities of VHS dubs from master tapes both digital & analog formats.
Duplicate tapes into D2 , 1", 3/4"and 1/2"formats.
Operate all standard def machines and exposure to high def machines (D5, HDCAM, DVCPRO HD).
Respond to console and ATL messages.
key punch data using key to disk system
Experience with DVD authoring and mass duplication.

Data center operator example responsibilities.

Manage daily Tivoli problem reporting system.
Implement and manage a centralize hardware management and provisioning system.
Control system jobs running in CTM scheduler, assist with problem resolution of JCL, utility programs and/or hardware failures.
Enter commands, MVS, JES2, IMS and VMS.
Install and configure TCP/IP and troubleshoot network problems.
Utilize JES heavily to review job status, TSO for analysis.

Tape operator vs data center operator skills

Common tape operator skills

Tape Library, 23%
Troubleshoot, 16%
Mainframe, 5%
Unix, 4%
QC, 4%
Disk, 4%

Common data center operator skills

Customer Service, 12%
Infrastructure, 7%
Escalate, 7%
Mainframe, 6%
Linux, 5%
Unix, 5%