Fermentation operator vs process operator

The differences between fermentation operators and process operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fermentation operator has an average salary of $42,116, which is higher than the $37,996 average annual salary of a process operator.

The top three skills for a fermentation operator include harvest, fermenters and GMP. The most important skills for a process operator are safety procedures, preventative maintenance, and team-oriented environment.

Fermentation operator vs process operator overview

	Fermentation Operator	Process Operator
Yearly salary	$42,116	$37,996
Hourly rate	$20.25	$18.27
Growth rate	-7%	3%
Number of jobs	27,763	83,478
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	42	46
Years of experience	-	2

Fermentation operator vs process operator salary

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

	Fermentation Operator	Process Operator
Average salary	$42,116	$37,996
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $60,000	Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	-	Wyoming
Best paying company	-	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between fermentation operator and process operator education

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

	Fermentation Operator	Process Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Microbiology	Business
Most common college	-	Stanford University

Fermentation operator vs process operator demographics

Here are the differences between fermentation operators' and process operators' demographics:

	Fermentation Operator	Process Operator
Average age	42	46
Gender ratio	Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%	Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 1.5% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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	8%	6%

Differences between fermentation operator and process operator duties and responsibilities

Fermentation operator example responsibilities.

Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Monitor equipment and process; troubleshoot mechanical and electrical problems that affect quality or production and direct maintenance in repairs.
Move to the assembly department building electrical panels, installing electrical panels, installing various electrical devices on new centrifuges.

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.

Fermentation operator vs process operator skills

Common fermentation operator skills

Harvest, 58%
Fermenters, 12%
GMP, 8%
PLC, 6%
Process Equipment, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

Common process operator skills

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

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Fermentation Operator
Fermentation Operator vs Process Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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