Grid operator vs plant operator

The differences between grid operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plant operator has an average salary of $42,697, which is higher than the $42,658 average annual salary of a grid operator.

The top three skills for a grid operator include EMS, NERC and interchange. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Grid operator vs plant operator overview

	Grid Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$42,658	$42,697
Hourly rate	$20.51	$20.53
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	31,895	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	49	47
Years of experience	-	12

Grid operator vs plant operator salary

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

	Grid Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$42,658	$42,697
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $65,000	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 grid operator and plant operator education

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

	Grid Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	-	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Grid operator vs plant operator demographics

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

	Grid Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	49	47
Gender ratio	Male, 69.7% Female, 30.3%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 19.4% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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	6%	5%

Differences between grid operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Grid operator example responsibilities.

Manage AGC system outage using frequency and neighboring balancing authority assistance to maintain system balance and stability.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Operate in compliance with NERC mandates and OSHA regulations.
Submit pacificorp transmission outages and notify neighboring ba and top's as per nerc standard transmission planning.
Direct balance and interchange operators to cut firm/non-firm schedules as needed for sol and or emergency conditions.
Move to the assembly department building electrical panels, installing electrical panels, installing various electrical devices on new centrifuges.

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.

Grid operator vs plant operator skills

Common grid operator skills

EMS, 36%
NERC, 35%
Interchange, 29%

Common plant operator skills

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