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What is a burner operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a burner operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $17.26 an hour? That's $35,893 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreBurner OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.8

Avg. Salary $35,893

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
-

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.02%

Asian 7.28%

Black or African American 10.28%

Hispanic or Latino 16.60%

Unknown 4.39%

White 60.42%

Gender

female 5.41%

male 94.59%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Key steps to become a burner operator

  1. Explore burner operator education requirements

    Most common burner operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    57.6 %

    Associate

    15.3 %

    Diploma

    13.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific burner operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CNC38.58%
    Propane18.75%
    Calipers15.94%
    Cranes6.24%
    Torches4.57%
  3. Research burner operator duties and responsibilities

    • Exhibit leadership skills by managing co-worker assignments while simultaneously monitoring the skate floor
    • Pull stock orders, cut steel, operate overhead cranes and CNC burners, cold see, bandsaw.
    • Operate battery of circular saws to cut plastic blocks containing ceramic-coat aluminum rods to length for processing into electronic resistors.
    • Exhibit leadership skills by managing co-worker assignments while simultaneously monitoring the skate floor
  4. Prepare your burner operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your burner operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a burner operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable burner operator resume templates

    Build a professional burner operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your burner operator resume.
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
    Burner Operator Resume
  5. Apply for burner operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a burner operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first burner operator job

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Average burner operator salary

The average burner operator salary in the United States is $35,893 per year or $17 per hour. Burner operator salaries range between $30,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average burner operator salary
$35,893 Yearly
$17.26 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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