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The differences between wireline operators and junior 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 wireline operator and a junior operator. Additionally, a wireline operator has an average salary of $43,448, which is higher than the $37,735 average annual salary of a junior operator.
The top three skills for a wireline operator include CDL, rig-up and hazmat. The most important skills for a junior operator are frac, safety rules, and pallets.
| Wireline Operator | Junior Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $43,448 | $37,735 |
| Hourly rate | $20.89 | $18.14 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 35,693 | 49,016 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A wireline operator specializes in handling and directing wireline equipment, tools, and instruments, ensuring safety and efficiency. Part of their job is to assess and analyze project requirements, install cables according to protocols and guidelines, control equipment up and down, conduct regular maintenance checks, and perform repairs as necessary. When it comes to employment, a wireline operator may work for mining, oil, and gas companies. Due to the risks surrounding the job, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers while adhering to the site's safety policies and standards.
Junior operators ensure efficient, reliable, and safe operation of assigned areas by following operating discipline practices, procedures, policies, standards, and principles. They enable good functional discipline for each activity, both unplanned and planned, and monitor key performance metrics, control systems, process conditions, and equipment systems. Also, they make reliable decisions to achieve and maintain the right conditions or rates as per the site goals. These professionals perform scheduled operational tasks, related tasks, and other tasks that arise because of handling unplanned events.
Wireline operators and junior operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wireline Operator | Junior Operator | |
| Average salary | $43,448 | $37,735 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $59,000 | Between $27,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a wireline operator and a junior operator in terms of educational background:
| Wireline Operator | Junior Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between wireline operators' and junior operators' demographics:
| Wireline Operator | Junior Operator | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% | Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 1.2% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 1.2% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |