Gas system operator vs plant operator

The differences between gas system operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a gas system operator and a plant operator. Additionally, a gas system operator has an average salary of $60,029, which is higher than the $42,697 average annual salary of a plant operator.

The top three skills for a gas system operator include SCADA, and . The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Gas system operator vs plant operator overview

	Gas System Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$60,029	$42,697
Hourly rate	$28.86	$20.53
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	41,580	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Gas system operator vs plant operator salary

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

	Gas System Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$60,029	$42,697
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $126,000	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 gas system operator and plant operator education

There are a few differences between a gas system operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Gas System Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Duke University	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Gas system operator vs plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between gas system operators' and plant operators' demographics:

	Gas System Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 1.7% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	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 gas system operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Gas system operator example responsibilities.

Monitor gauges and ensure that safety practices and regulations are strictly enforce.
Operate and maintain all pneumatic, DDC and VAV heating and cooling systems.

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.

Gas system operator vs plant operator skills

Common gas system operator skills

SCADA, 100%

Common plant operator skills

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