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Auxiliary plant operator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an auxiliary plant operator. Auxiliary plant operators usually study industrial technology, electrical engineering, or liberal arts. 30% of auxiliary plant operators hold a high school diploma, and 30% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 61 real auxiliary plant operator resumes to see exactly what auxiliary plant operator education sections show.
The most common colleges for auxiliary plant operators are the Alcorn State University and the Alcorn State University.
There are also many online auxiliary plant operator courses to help get the education required to be an auxiliary plant operator.
What education do you need to become an auxiliary plant operator?
What degree do you need to be an auxiliary plant operator?
- High School Diploma, 30%
- Bachelor's, 30%
- Associate, 30%
- Other Degrees, 10%
What should I major in to become an auxiliary plant operator?
- Liberal Arts, 11%
- Other Majors, 60%
Most common colleges for auxiliary plant operators
| Auxiliary plant operator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Alcorn State University | 10.00% |
| Old Dominion University | 10.00% |
| Canisius College | 10.00% |
| University of Texas at Tyler | 10.00% |
| Sam Houston State University | 10.00% |
Best majors for auxiliary plant operators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Industrial Technology | 10.7% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 10.7% |
| 3 | Liberal Arts | 10.7% |
| 4 | Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies | 7.1% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering Technology | 7.1% |
Best colleges for auxiliary plant operators
The best colleges for auxiliary plant operators are Purdue University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Northwestern University.
An auxiliary plant operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for auxiliary plant operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become auxiliary plant operators.
1. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,570
Enrollment
3,721
2. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$11,788
Enrollment
11,008
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
4. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
5. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
Delhi, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,360
Enrollment
3,142
6. University of North Texas
Denton, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,852
Enrollment
31,375
7. New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,120
Enrollment
16,204
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Enrollment
11,139
10. Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$27,124
Enrollment
2,035
20 best online courses for auxiliary plant operators
Advertising disclosure
1. Centrifugal pumps: Principles , Operation and Design
A complete understanding of construction details and functioning of centrifugal pumps for successful plant operation...
2. SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) Module Online Classes
Functional Module SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) with Configuration...
3. Rotating Equipment Masterclass: Pumps & Compressors
A compelete understanding of pumps & compressors used in process industries for a successful operation of your facility...
4. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
5. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
6. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock
Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...
7. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads
Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...
8. Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering
Learn the most important Unit Operations in Chemical Plants...
9. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
10. HVAC Fundamentals and BMS Controls
Build your knowledge systematically, from the working principles of HVAC to optimizing a chiller plant operation...
11. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
12. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2
Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...
13. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
14. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance
A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...
15. Valves: Principles , Operation & Designs
A complete understanding of construction details & functioning of valves for successful operation of your piping system...
16. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 1
Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...
17. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
18. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control
Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...
19. MBA: Supply Chain and Operation management
Tactics, Tools, and Techniques required to become a Supply chain and operation manager...
20. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
Top 10 most affordable universities for auxiliary plant operators
The most affordable schools for auxiliary plant operators are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - fresno.
If the best universities for auxiliary plant operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for auxiliary plant operators.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
4. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
5. New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,120
Cost of attendance
13,997
6. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
In-state tuition
$4,118
Cost of attendance
12,223
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
10. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Cost of attendance
17,885
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for auxiliary plant operators
The hardest universities for auxiliary plant operators to get into are Purdue University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for auxiliary plant operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for auxiliary plant operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
2. Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,319
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
5. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,269
6. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
7. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
8. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
1,291
9. Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,287
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for auxiliary plant operators
The easiest schools for auxiliary plant operators to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, central washington university, and pennsylvania state university - dubois.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an auxiliary plant operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for auxiliary plant operators.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,062
3. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
DuBois, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,079
4. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
5. Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,009
6. Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,019
7. Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI • Private
Admissions rate
76%
SAT average
1,025
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
9. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
10. Middle Georgia State University
Macon, GA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
980
Average auxiliary plant operator salary by education level
| Auxiliary plant operator education level | Auxiliary plant operator salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $45,321 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $49,671 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $49,203 |
Auxiliary plant operator education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025