Grid operator vs process operator

The differences between grid operators and process operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a grid operator has an average salary of $42,658, which is higher than the $37,996 average annual salary of a process operator.

The top three skills for a grid operator include EMS, NERC and interchange. The most important skills for a process operator are safety procedures, preventative maintenance, and team-oriented environment.

Grid operator vs process operator overview

	Grid Operator	Process Operator
Yearly salary	$42,658	$37,996
Hourly rate	$20.51	$18.27
Growth rate	-7%	3%
Number of jobs	31,895	83,478
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	49	46
Years of experience	-	2

Grid operator vs process operator salary

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

	Grid Operator	Process Operator
Average salary	$42,658	$37,996
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $65,000	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 grid operator and process operator education

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

	Grid Operator	Process Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	-	Stanford University

Grid operator vs process operator demographics

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

	Grid Operator	Process Operator
Average age	49	46
Gender ratio	Male, 69.7% Female, 30.3%	Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
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, 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 grid operator and process 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.

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.

Grid operator vs process operator skills

Common grid operator skills

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

Common process operator skills

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