Tape operator vs mainframe operator

The differences between tape operators and mainframe 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 mainframe operator. Additionally, a tape operator has an average salary of $60,356, which is higher than the $46,076 average annual salary of a mainframe operator.

The top three skills for a tape operator include tape library, troubleshoot and mainframe. The most important skills for a mainframe operator are windows, troubleshoot, and JCL.

Tape operator vs mainframe operator overview

	Tape Operator	Mainframe Operator
Yearly salary	$60,356	$46,076
Hourly rate	$29.02	$22.15
Growth rate	10%	-
Number of jobs	26,204	26,604
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Tape operator vs mainframe operator salary

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

	Tape Operator	Mainframe Operator
Average salary	$60,356	$46,076
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $93,000	Between $36,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between tape operator and mainframe operator education

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

	Tape Operator	Mainframe Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Photography	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Tape operator vs mainframe operator demographics

Here are the differences between tape operators' and mainframe operators' demographics:

	Tape Operator	Mainframe Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1%	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%
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 mainframe 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.

Mainframe operator example responsibilities.

Manage local and remote output processing via JES2 node connections.
Lead the team for implementation of major enhancements with JCL, DB2, CICS and VSAM and documentation of the upgrades.
Monitor and correct production batch jobs with JCL, MVS, and JES3.
Monitor the MVS spooling system (JES2), security access (ACF2) and TCP/IP access and processing.
Monitor and address mainframe, VM systems issues.
Execute daily start-up of all CICS regions and ATM networks.

Tape operator vs mainframe operator skills

Common tape operator skills

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

Common mainframe operator skills

Windows, 8%
Troubleshoot, 8%
JCL, 7%
IPL, 6%
Mainframe Operations, 6%
SLA, 5%