Coal pipeline operator vs plant operator

The differences between coal pipeline operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a coal pipeline operator has an average salary of $42,769, which is higher than the $42,697 average annual salary of a plant operator.

The top three skills for a coal pipeline operator include routine maintenance, and . The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Coal pipeline operator vs plant operator overview

	Coal Pipeline Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$42,769	$42,697
Hourly rate	$20.56	$20.53
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	26,674	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	-	12

Coal pipeline operator vs plant operator salary

Coal pipeline operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Coal Pipeline Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$42,769	$42,697
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $66,000	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 coal pipeline operator and plant operator education

There are a few differences between a coal pipeline operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Coal Pipeline Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	International Business	Business
Most common college	-	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Coal pipeline operator vs plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between coal pipeline operators' and plant operators' demographics:

	Coal Pipeline Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.1% White, 69.0% 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%

Differences between coal pipeline operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Coal pipeline operator example responsibilities.

Manage smart pig cleaning and maintenance schedule for all assign areas of responsibility.
Experience operating and maintaining pipeline systems and relate equipment utilize in natural gas and liquids gathering and transmission systems.
Perform Lockout/tagout procedures to ensure ADM and contractors safety.

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.

Coal pipeline operator vs plant operator skills

Common coal pipeline operator skills

Routine Maintenance, 100%

Common plant operator skills

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

Coal Pipeline Operator vs. similar jobs

Coal Pipeline Operator related careers

Coal Pipeline Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Operator responsibilities

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Coal Pipeline Operator
Coal Pipeline Operator vs Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs