Carbon dioxide operator vs plant operator

The differences between carbon dioxide operators and plant 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 carbon dioxide 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 $38,159 average annual salary of a carbon dioxide operator.

The top three skills for a carbon dioxide operator include frac, and . The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Carbon dioxide operator vs plant operator overview

	Carbon Dioxide Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$38,159	$42,697
Hourly rate	$18.35	$20.53
Growth rate	7%	-7%
Number of jobs	29,850	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	44	47
Years of experience	2	12

Carbon dioxide operator vs plant operator salary

Carbon dioxide operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Carbon Dioxide Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$38,159	$42,697
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $56,000	Between $32,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Idaho
Best paying company	-	NW Natural
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between carbon dioxide operator and plant operator education

There are a few differences between a carbon dioxide operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Carbon Dioxide Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Business
Most common college	-	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Carbon dioxide operator vs plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between carbon dioxide operators' and plant operators' demographics:

	Carbon Dioxide Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	44	47
Gender ratio	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 1.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	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	3%	5%

Differences between carbon dioxide operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Carbon dioxide operator example responsibilities.

Design of a thermal swing adsorption process for the capture of C02 from industrial flue gas.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Implement tool control and OSHA safety regulations while working independently on various machinery.

Plant operator example responsibilities.

Manage and operate the DCS system or control board.
Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Used basic math skills to calculate the weight of the ammonia by the price it are per ton.
Operate compressors, scrubbers, pipeline, pumps, coolers, and evaporators to liquefy or compress gas.
Maintain and repair all equipment involve in plant processes to keep within OSHA safety standards and EPA environmental codes.

Carbon dioxide operator vs plant operator skills

Common carbon dioxide operator skills

Frac, 100%

Common plant operator skills

Plant Equipment, 7%
Plant Operations, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Boilers, 5%
Minor Maintenance, 4%
Ladders, 4%

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Carbon Dioxide Operator
Carbon Dioxide Operator vs Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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