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Auxiliary plant operator vs distribution system operator

The differences between auxiliary plant operators and distribution system operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an auxiliary plant operator and a distribution system operator. Additionally, a distribution system operator has an average salary of $58,785, which is higher than the $45,592 average annual salary of an auxiliary plant operator.

The top three skills for an auxiliary plant operator include LOTO, plant equipment and hand tools. The most important skills for a distribution system operator are safety procedures, gauges, and minor maintenance.

Auxiliary plant operator vs distribution system operator overview

Auxiliary Plant OperatorDistribution System Operator
Yearly salary$45,592$58,785
Hourly rate$21.92$28.26
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs35,33551,063
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 30%Associate Degree, 37%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Auxiliary plant operator vs distribution system operator salary

Auxiliary plant operators and distribution system operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auxiliary Plant OperatorDistribution System Operator
Average salary$45,592$58,785
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $64,000Between $24,000 And $142,000
Highest paying City-New Bedford, MA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Exelon
Best paying industry--

Differences between auxiliary plant operator and distribution system operator education

There are a few differences between an auxiliary plant operator and a distribution system operator in terms of educational background:

Auxiliary Plant OperatorDistribution System Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 30%Associate Degree, 37%
Most common majorIndustrial TechnologyBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Auxiliary plant operator vs distribution system operator demographics

Here are the differences between auxiliary plant operators' and distribution system operators' demographics:

Auxiliary Plant OperatorDistribution System Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between auxiliary plant operator and distribution system operator duties and responsibilities

Auxiliary plant operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
  • Perform preventive maintenance with tools in mechanical rooms, HVAC, kitchen, and cooking equipment.
  • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
  • Operate small rotating biological contractor plant that utilize activated sludge with sand filters and UV disinfection to process wastewater.

Distribution system operator example responsibilities.

  • Tabulate data and enter all events including problems into scanned PC database.
  • Train to perform IP functions and how to configure TCP/IP within the network.
  • Install, and operate natural gas, plumbing, water and wastewater treatment systems.
  • Preform real-time and before the fact studies to insure stability of the system and compliance to NERC standards.
  • Implement and develop supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and outage management systems, including AutoCAD and SCADA.
  • Operate and maintain all pneumatic, DDC and VAV heating and cooling systems.
  • Show more

Auxiliary plant operator vs distribution system operator skills

Common auxiliary plant operator skills
  • LOTO, 39%
  • Plant Equipment, 34%
  • Hand Tools, 18%
  • Plant Systems, 7%
  • Water Pumps, 2%
Common distribution system operator skills
  • Safety Procedures, 16%
  • Gauges, 10%
  • Minor Maintenance, 9%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 8%
  • API, 5%
  • Storage Tanks, 5%

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