Yard switch operator vs signal operator

The differences between yard switch operators and signal operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a signal operator has an average salary of $47,324, which is higher than the $37,724 average annual salary of a yard switch operator.

The top three skills for a yard switch operator include DOT, pre-trip and pallets. The most important skills for a signal operator are signals intelligence, intelligence data, and intelligence reports.

Yard switch operator vs signal operator overview

	Yard Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Yearly salary	$37,724	$47,324
Hourly rate	$18.14	$22.75
Growth rate	-2%	-2%
Number of jobs	29,408	31,263
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	-	-

Yard switch operator vs signal operator salary

Yard switch operators and signal operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Yard Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Average salary	$37,724	$47,324
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $57,000	Between $30,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	North Bergen, NJ	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Meritor	-
Best paying industry	Hospitality	-

Differences between yard switch operator and signal operator education

There are a few differences between a yard switch operator and a signal operator in terms of educational background:

	Yard Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Business	Communications Technology
Most common college	-	-

Yard switch operator vs signal operator demographics

Here are the differences between yard switch operators' and signal operators' demographics:

	Yard Switch Operator	Signal Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%	Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 17.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	21%	21%

Differences between yard switch operator and signal operator duties and responsibilities

Yard switch operator example responsibilities.

Attend core computer and network systems training before receiving additional instruction in DOD information systems and defense messaging systems.
Maintain communication network equipment and switches, operate and install communication equipment, and operate diagnostic equipment specific to network switches.
Help OTR drivers when they can't get to a trailer.

Signal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Operate as a SME on LLVI operations and equipment.
Provide ISR threat warning support and interface with other units.
Perform SIGINT collection according to current CCP assign by the CRC.
Perform identification, acquisition, recording, analysis and reporting of assign ISR tasks.
Intercept information from classify sources, processing and analyzing information and packaging and sending to NSA.

Yard switch operator vs signal operator skills

Common yard switch operator skills

DOT, 63%
Pre-trip, 15%
Pallets, 9%
Safety Rules, 4%
Unload Trailers, 3%
Roll-Off Procedures, 2%

Common signal operator skills

Signals Intelligence, 29%
Intelligence Data, 27%
Intelligence Reports, 20%
SIGINT, 15%
Top Secret, 4%
Communications Equipment, 3%

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Transportation Industry
Yard Switch Operator
Yard Switch Operator vs Signal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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