Fabrication manager vs process operator

The differences between fabrication managers and process operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a fabrication manager and a process operator. Additionally, a fabrication manager has an average salary of $79,819, which is higher than the $37,996 average annual salary of a process operator.

The top three skills for a fabrication manager include continuous improvement, safety procedures and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a process operator are safety procedures, preventative maintenance, and team-oriented environment.

Fabrication manager vs process operator overview

	Fabrication Manager	Process Operator
Yearly salary	$79,819	$37,996
Hourly rate	$38.37	$18.27
Growth rate	-1%	3%
Number of jobs	6,379	83,478
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Fabrication manager vs process operator salary

Fabrication managers and process operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fabrication Manager	Process Operator
Average salary	$79,819	$37,996
Salary range	Between $54,000 And $117,000	Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Andover, MA	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Wyoming
Best paying company	Calvin Klein	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between fabrication manager and process operator education

There are a few differences between a fabrication manager and a process operator in terms of educational background:

	Fabrication Manager	Process Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Fabrication manager vs process operator demographics

Here are the differences between fabrication managers' and process operators' demographics:

	Fabrication Manager	Process Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between fabrication manager and process operator duties and responsibilities

Fabrication manager example responsibilities.

Manage all shipping & receiving logistics before creating position of shipping supervisor.
Experience with OSHA safety as well as employee safety.
Operate facility in compliance with OSHA and Sapa standards.
Operate a press, shears, rollers, plasma cutter, and mig and tig welders.
Design and build props for theatrical sets from wood, steel, aluminum, and other materials for special events.
Plan and design require parts of sheet metal for the marine industry with duct planning and HVAC installation with wiring.

Process operator example responsibilities.

Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Climb ladders to inspect manholes, check temps, sometimes gather samples for lab analysis.
Demonstrate ability to perform basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, ratios, weights & measures).
Control product temperatures and monitor gauges.
Review FHA files for completeness and compliance.
Use of ladders, stairs, heavy lifting and temperature extremes.

Fabrication manager vs process operator skills

Common fabrication manager skills

Continuous Improvement, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Lean Manufacturing, 7%
Quality Standards, 6%
CNC, 6%
Production Schedules, 5%

Common process operator skills

Safety Procedures, 8%
Preventative Maintenance, 7%
Team-Oriented Environment, 7%
Ladders, 5%
Customer Service, 4%
Data Entry, 4%