Incinerator operator vs plant operator

The differences between incinerator operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an incinerator operator, becoming a plant operator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a plant operator has an average salary of $42,697, which is higher than the $40,114 average annual salary of an incinerator operator.

The top three skills for an incinerator operator include OSHA, hand tools and incinerators. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Incinerator operator vs plant operator overview

	Incinerator Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$40,114	$42,697
Hourly rate	$19.29	$20.53
Growth rate	4%	-7%
Number of jobs	31,897	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	50	47
Years of experience	2	12

Incinerator operator vs plant operator salary

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

	Incinerator Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$40,114	$42,697
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $57,000	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 incinerator operator and plant operator education

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

	Incinerator Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Incinerator operator vs plant operator demographics

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

	Incinerator Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	50	47
Gender ratio	Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.9% White, 58.0% 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	4%	5%

Differences between incinerator operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Incinerator operator example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Ensure proper PPE are maintained and utilize by all personnel.
Ensure all waste are properly handle and dispose of per OSHA and AFOSH standards.
Advance to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in management role with oversight for a full-service building management.
Advance to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in management role with oversight for a full-service building management.

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.

Incinerator operator vs plant operator skills

Common incinerator operator skills

OSHA, 51%
Hand Tools, 18%
Incinerators, 16%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Medical Waste, 5%
Liquid Waste, 2%

Common plant operator skills

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