Washer operator vs owner/operator

The differences between washer operators and owner/operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a washer operator, becoming an owner/operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an owner/operator has an average salary of $167,288, which is higher than the $31,789 average annual salary of a washer operator.

The top three skills for a washer operator include safety standards, dryers and car wash. The most important skills for an owner/operator are CDL, PET, and customer service.

Washer operator vs owner/operator overview

	Washer Operator	Owner/Operator
Yearly salary	$31,789	$167,288
Hourly rate	$15.28	$80.43
Growth rate	6%	4%
Number of jobs	75,715	119,599
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	47	48
Years of experience	6	2

What does a washer operator do?

A washer operator is tasked with operating laundry machines. They operate and tend to washing machines, dry-cleaning machines, and dryers that, in turn, take care of household or industrial articles. In special cases, they may need to make use of different methods in sorting these fabrics and materials of various colors, sizes, and materials. They also have to sort, hang, or fold articles after they are done washing and drying them.

What does an owner/operator do?

Owners/operators manage the business in all aspects, especially in those related to operations. They ensure that every aspect of the business is running smoothly. They oversee finance, marketing, logistics, sales, and even the human resources of the whole organization. They set business goals, create action plans to achieve them, and make sure that the plans are followed through. They set strategic direction and make business decisions that would be the most beneficial to the organization. They ensure that the business has enough funds to continue operating and that the quality of the products and services they offer continuously improve.

Washer operator vs owner/operator salary

Washer operators and owner/operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Washer Operator	Owner/Operator
Average salary	$31,789	$167,288
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $40,000	Between $105,000 And $264,000
Highest paying City	Belvidere, IL	Bridgeport, CT
Highest paying state	Illinois	Oregon
Best paying company	Siemens	Reddy Ice
Best paying industry	Professional	Technology

Differences between washer operator and owner/operator education

There are a few differences between a washer operator and an owner/operator in terms of educational background:

	Washer Operator	Owner/Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	-

Washer operator vs owner/operator demographics

Here are the differences between washer operators' and owner/operators' demographics:

	Washer Operator	Owner/Operator
Average age	47	48
Gender ratio	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%	Male, 66.8% Female, 33.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 4.4% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.6% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	11%	4%

Differences between washer operator and owner/operator duties and responsibilities

Washer operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Stock PPE cabinets throughout the day.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Operate an industrial scale to make sure load weights do not exceed washer and dryer capacities.
Dry finish product using industrialize dryer.
Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Owner/operator example responsibilities.

Create and manage a free subscription, advertising- base facsimile publication and franchising system.
Manage all inventory for eBay store, including its labeling, storage, sales, and overall organization.
Design, implement and manage processes base on ITIL best practices, standards and relate support tools across the organization.
Direct daily operations of four profit centers, managing all financial functions to include A/R, A/P, payroll and purchasing.
Create and manage print and electronic co-op advertising program
Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.

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Washer operator vs owner/operator skills

Common washer operator skills

Safety Standards, 34%
Dryers, 31%
Car Wash, 9%
Washing Machines, 6%
Safety Procedures, 5%
PPE, 5%

Common owner/operator skills

CDL, 57%
PET, 16%
Customer Service, 12%
Payroll, 4%
Human Resources, 1%
Windows, 1%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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