Extractor plant operator vs plant operator

The differences between extractor plant operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an extractor plant operator has an average salary of $46,470, which is higher than the $42,697 average annual salary of a plant operator.

The top three skills for an extractor plant operator include extraction, safety practices and distillation. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Extractor plant operator vs plant operator overview

	Extractor Plant Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$46,470	$42,697
Hourly rate	$22.34	$20.53
Growth rate	-15%	-7%
Number of jobs	34,463	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	46	47
Years of experience	-	12

Extractor plant operator vs plant operator salary

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

	Extractor Plant Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$46,470	$42,697
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $63,000	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 extractor plant operator and plant operator education

There are a few differences between an extractor plant operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Extractor Plant Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Business
Most common college	-	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Extractor plant operator vs plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between extractor plant operators' and plant operators' demographics:

	Extractor Plant Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	46	47
Gender ratio	Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 1.3% White, 79.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%	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	5%	5%

Differences between extractor plant operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Extractor plant operator example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
Operate tools, including hoists, saws and drills.

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.

Extractor plant operator vs plant operator skills

Common extractor plant operator skills

Extraction, 37%
Safety Practices, 35%
Distillation, 28%

Common plant operator skills

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

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Extractor Plant Operator
Extractor Plant Operator vs Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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