Tool inspector vs test operator

The differences between tool inspectors and test operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a tool inspector has an average salary of $49,213, which is higher than the $35,591 average annual salary of a test operator.

The top three skills for a tool inspector include jigs, hand tools and micrometers. The most important skills for a test operator are test equipment, hand tools, and test procedures.

Tool inspector vs test operator overview

	Tool Inspector	Test Operator
Yearly salary	$49,213	$35,591
Hourly rate	$23.66	$17.11
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	24,549	63,674
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Associate Degree, 31%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Tool inspector vs test operator salary

Tool inspectors and test operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tool Inspector	Test Operator
Average salary	$49,213	$35,591
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $69,000	Between $25,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Stratford, CT
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Qorvo
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between tool inspector and test operator education

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

	Tool Inspector	Test Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Associate Degree, 31%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Tool inspector vs test operator demographics

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

	Tool Inspector	Test Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 85.0% Female, 15.0%	Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.1% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between tool inspector and test operator duties and responsibilities

Tool inspector example responsibilities.

Inspect parts using height gauges, travel gauges, indicators, calipers, and comparators.
Read and interpret engineering drawings and inspection procedures in accordance with API.
Perform close tolerance inspection of support tooling including drill jigs, gages and templates.
Perform inspections on machine tooling and spare parts using CMM, vision systems, and other NIST certify equipment.
Interface effectively with other HVAC inspectors in coordinating inspection operations.
Complete FAA require conformity inspections and comply with certification data requirements to present to FAA for approval.

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.

Tool inspector vs test operator skills

Common tool inspector skills

Jigs, 18%
Hand Tools, 11%
Micrometers, 7%
CMM, 7%
Calipers, 6%
Coordinate Measuring Machine, 6%

Common test operator skills

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