Kiln operator vs flow worker

The differences between kiln operators and flow workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kiln operator has an average salary of $33,268, which is higher than the $29,400 average annual salary of a flow worker.

The top three skills for a kiln operator include safety standards, safety procedures and rail cars. The most important skills for a flow worker are customer service, , and .

Kiln operator vs flow worker overview

	Kiln Operator	Flow Worker
Yearly salary	$33,268	$29,400
Hourly rate	$15.99	$14.13
Growth rate	7%	14%
Number of jobs	47,809	24,008
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Kiln operator vs flow worker salary

Kiln operators and flow workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Kiln Operator	Flow Worker
Average salary	$33,268	$29,400
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $41,000	Between $19,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Hillsboro, OR	-
Highest paying state	North Dakota	-
Best paying company	Rosboro	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between kiln operator and flow worker education

There are a few differences between a kiln operator and a flow worker in terms of educational background:

	Kiln Operator	Flow Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Kiln operator vs flow worker demographics

Here are the differences between kiln operators' and flow workers' demographics:

	Kiln Operator	Flow Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 90.8% Female, 9.2%	Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 8.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 8.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 5.0% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between kiln operator and flow worker duties and responsibilities

Kiln operator example responsibilities.

Manage and buy lumber, run the kilns and boughtlumber from all hardwood producing areas.
Develop a new and up to date HAZWASTE program for the site
Close tunnel doors and start blowers and heaters to regulate humidity and temperature within tunnel.
Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, pallet jacks or hoists.
Set up and operate an extrusion machine in accordance with establish procedures and guidelines and customer requirements.
Operate spray dryer to make powder and send parts for pressing.

Flow worker example responsibilities.

Order office supplies, enter invoices for accounting, put documents in order, used QuickBooks to manage propane accounts.
Input sensitive/ confidential customer information for IKEA programs/ delivery while keeping information confidential.
Operate RF scanning equipment to account and inventory manufacture products.

Kiln operator vs flow worker skills

Common kiln operator skills

Safety Standards, 22%
Safety Procedures, 15%
Rail Cars, 13%
Production Equipment, 7%
RAN, 5%
Moisture Content, 5%

Common flow worker skills

Customer Service, 100%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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