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The differences between traffic operators and assistant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a traffic operator, becoming an assistant operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assistant operator has an average salary of $37,607, which is higher than the $36,610 average annual salary of a traffic operator.
The top three skills for a traffic operator include patrol, traffic management and CCTV. The most important skills for an assistant operator are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Traffic Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,610 | $37,607 |
| Hourly rate | $17.60 | $18.08 |
| Growth rate | 3% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 31,592 | 88,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A Traffic Operator coordinates all logistic shipments and associated operations. You will be required to oversee all payments and credit negotiation demands within traffic management. For all that you will do, you'll be required to listen to emergency radios for incident alerts as well as maintain operating standards and emergency procedures. As a Traffic Operator, you will be responsible for carrying out rig movements while drilling is going on, depending on the particular industry. You'll do some other tasks like operating heavy machinery like the bobcat equipment and also perform demolition work.
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
Traffic operators and assistant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Traffic Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,610 | $37,607 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $53,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Topeka, KS | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Trafigura | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Energy |
There are a few differences between a traffic operator and an assistant operator in terms of educational background:
| Traffic Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between traffic operators' and assistant operators' demographics:
| Traffic Operator | Assistant Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |