Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between test operators and operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an operator has an average salary of $37,928, 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 an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Test Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,591 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $17.11 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 63,674 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement. Additionally, you will assemble electronics in their boxes and notify the quality/test engineer if the test yields below the acceptable levels.
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Test operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,591 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stratford, CT | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Qorvo | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Test Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between test operators' and operators' demographics:
| Test Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| 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, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |