Extractor plant operator vs power operator

The differences between extractor plant operators and power 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 $38,263 average annual salary of a power operator.

The top three skills for an extractor plant operator include extraction, safety practices and distillation. The most important skills for a power operator are pallets, control room, and electrical systems.

Extractor plant operator vs power operator overview

	Extractor Plant Operator	Power Operator
Yearly salary	$46,470	$38,263
Hourly rate	$22.34	$18.40
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	34,463	39,171
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	-	-

Extractor plant operator vs power operator salary

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

	Extractor Plant Operator	Power Operator
Average salary	$46,470	$38,263
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $63,000	Between $28,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between extractor plant operator and power operator education

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

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

Extractor plant operator vs power operator demographics

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

	Extractor Plant Operator	Power Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%	Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6%
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, 5.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 1.5% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between extractor plant operator and power 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.

Power operator example responsibilities.

Manage an internal environmental information system and ensure compliance with EPA and RCRA regulations.
Operate heavy equipment, loaders, lifts, hand and power tools to complete skil tasks.
Adjust controls of water and cold feed systems, blowers and igniters to start up and shut down boilers.
Help electrical maintenance department troubleshoot motors and other electrical devices.
Identify parameters indicative of an emergency condition and initiate designated actions, execute terminal shutdown and start-up procedures upon approval.
Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.

Extractor plant operator vs power operator skills

Common extractor plant operator skills

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

Common power operator skills

Pallets, 28%
Control Room, 19%
Electrical Systems, 9%
Water Treatment, 8%
Cooling Towers, 5%
HVAC, 4%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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