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The differences between boiler operators and operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a boiler operator, becoming an operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a boiler operator has an average salary of $49,782, which is higher than the $37,928 average annual salary of an operator.
The top three skills for a boiler operator include preventive maintenance, air compressors and boiler room. The most important skills for an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Boiler Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $49,782 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $23.93 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 32,715 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 50 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A boiler operator specializes in the maintenance and repair of boiler machines and similar facilities in industrial establishments such as warehouses, power plants, and factories. As a boiler operator, it is their responsibility to monitor and operate systems and equipment, perform adjustments, observe factors such as temperature and pressure, write daily records, and replace equipment parts as needed. They may also maintain the cleanliness of areas, keeping supplies organized at all times. Furthermore, a boiler operator must conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Boiler operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Boiler Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $49,782 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $70,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Ithaca, NY | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Southeastern Med | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a boiler operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Boiler Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between boiler operators' and operators' demographics:
| Boiler Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |