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The differences between batch plant operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a batch plant operator, becoming a plant operator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a plant operator has an average salary of $42,697, which is higher than the $41,126 average annual salary of a batch plant operator.
The top three skills for a batch plant operator include asphalt, plant equipment and front end loader. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.
| Batch Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $41,126 | $42,697 |
| Hourly rate | $19.77 | $20.53 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 45,697 | 43,388 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
A batch plant operator is in charge of overseeing factory activities and procedures, ensuring the batch adheres to the clients' orders and goes along with the company's standards and regulations. They primarily conduct quality assurance tests to inspect mixtures, recommend solutions to improve the mixtures' quality, produce progress reports, and maintain records. A batch plant operator also has the authority to set goals and guidelines, manage schedules, supervise and delegate responsibilities among staff, liaise with internal and external parties, and handle delivery slips.
A plant operator's primary role is to supervise and oversee operations in an industrial setting. They are responsible for controlling machinery and equipment, coordinating with fellow officers, monitoring the quality of progress among a particular unit or department, and maintaining daily operations records. A plant operator may also respond to inquiries and issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and provide corrective measures. Furthermore, a plant operator must conduct regular inspection and maintenance to ensure a safe work environment for everyone, all while implementing the plant's safety policies and regulations.
Batch plant operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Batch Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average salary | $41,126 | $42,697 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $54,000 | Between $32,000 And $56,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Idaho |
| Best paying company | - | NW Natural |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a batch plant operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:
| Batch Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Here are the differences between batch plant operators' and plant operators' demographics:
| Batch Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8% | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 4.3% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 5% |