Winch operator vs telescope operator

The differences between winch operators and telescope operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a winch operator and a telescope operator. Additionally, a winch operator has an average salary of $37,131, which is higher than the $36,271 average annual salary of a telescope operator.

The top three skills for a winch operator include rig, well control and winch truck. The most important skills for a telescope operator are telescopes, , and .

Winch operator vs telescope operator overview

	Winch Operator	Telescope Operator
Yearly salary	$37,131	$36,271
Hourly rate	$17.85	$17.44
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	29,595	29,458
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 87%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	2	2

Winch operator vs telescope operator salary

Winch operators and telescope operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Winch Operator	Telescope Operator
Average salary	$37,131	$36,271
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $53,000	Between $24,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between winch operator and telescope operator education

There are a few differences between a winch operator and a telescope operator in terms of educational background:

	Winch Operator	Telescope Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 87%
Most common major	Photography	Physics
Most common college	-	-

Winch operator vs telescope operator demographics

Here are the differences between winch operators' and telescope operators' demographics:

	Winch Operator	Telescope Operator
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1%	Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.8% White, 73.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.8% White, 73.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between winch operator and telescope operator duties and responsibilities

Winch operator example responsibilities.

Operate winch truck on rig moves hauling drilling rigs from location to location.
Conduct daily field frac tank inspections within yard and at well sites.
Operate, tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operate cable equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Observe safety practices and procedures to maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Ensure that safety and environmental awareness are maintained at the highest possible standard.

Telescope operator example responsibilities.

Collect and analyze optical CCD data.
Conduct limited remedial maintenance as necessary on the telescopes and their associate optical, electronic, cryogenic, and computer systems.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Wash and tumble floor, responsible for cleaning soil linens/uniforms operating washers and dryers.

Winch operator vs telescope operator skills

Common winch operator skills

Rig, 63%
Well Control, 25%
Winch Truck, 12%

Common telescope operator skills

Telescopes, 100%

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Transportation Industry
Winch Operator
Winch Operator vs Telescope Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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