Test operator vs lead inspector

The differences between test operators and lead inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead inspector has an average salary of $51,148, which is higher than the $35,591 average annual salary of a test operator.

The top three skills for a test operator include test equipment, hand tools and test procedures. The most important skills for a lead inspector are NDT, API, and NDE.

Test operator vs lead inspector overview

	Test Operator	Lead Inspector
Yearly salary	$35,591	$51,148
Hourly rate	$17.11	$24.59
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	63,674	17,734
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Test operator vs lead inspector salary

Test operators and lead inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Test Operator	Lead Inspector
Average salary	$35,591	$51,148
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $48,000	Between $35,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	Stratford, CT	West Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Connecticut
Best paying company	Qorvo	Parsons
Best paying industry	Technology	Energy

Differences between test operator and lead inspector education

There are a few differences between a test operator and a lead inspector in terms of educational background:

	Test Operator	Lead Inspector
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	-	-

Test operator vs lead inspector demographics

Here are the differences between test operators' and lead inspectors' demographics:

	Test Operator	Lead Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%	Male, 76.9% Female, 23.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 10.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between test operator and lead inspector duties and responsibilities

Test operator example responsibilities.

Box build sub-assembly level by solder wire into connector, lead, and fan according to MPI and visuals aid.
Experience following procedures and managing GMP documentation.
Work include new lay, tie-ins, repairs, CTS stations, ETS stations.
Install the new version software operation windows.
Complete NDT inspections using multiple inspection methods.
Trouble shoots and repair ICT failures to component level.

Lead inspector example responsibilities.

Manage survey crews on prelim route survey, and HDD core sample crews.
Coordinate joint surveys with SATORP inspectors and manage clearance of all issue active LBE and NCR.
Authore numerous new corporate NDT procedures, update procedures and administer all NDE corporate activities.
Comply with all AS9100 and NADCAP requirements.
Inspect articles to correct design, tooling and jigs.
Total of 7 HDD crossings and 2 major highway crossings.

Test operator vs lead inspector skills

Common test operator skills

Test Equipment, 9%
Hand Tools, 7%
Test Procedures, 6%
Test Results, 5%
Safety Rules, 4%
Circuit Boards, 4%

Common lead inspector skills

NDT, 7%
API, 6%
NDE, 5%
Inspection Reports, 5%
III, 5%
Corrective Action, 4%