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The differences between maintenance operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a maintenance 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 $35,420 average annual salary of a maintenance operator.
The top three skills for a maintenance operator include hand tools, CDL and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.
| Maintenance Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,420 | $42,697 |
| Hourly rate | $17.03 | $20.53 |
| Growth rate | 5% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 142,679 | 43,388 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
Maintenance operators are skilled technicians who use a variety of small equipment and tools to perform and assist in the maintenance activities of a business establishment. These operators are required to assist the equipment manager in preparing preventative maintenance procedures so that they can increase productivity and reduce downtime of equipment. They must enforce safety rules and regulations and ensure that staff members are following them to prevent accidents in the facility. Maintenance operators must also train maintenance employees in performing proper preventative maintenance.
A plant operator's primary role is to supervise and oversee operations in an industrial setting. They are responsible for controlling machinery and equipment, coordinating with fellow officers, monitoring the quality of progress among a particular unit or department, and maintaining daily operations records. A plant operator may also respond to inquiries and issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and provide corrective measures. Furthermore, a plant operator must conduct regular inspection and maintenance to ensure a safe work environment for everyone, all while implementing the plant's safety policies and regulations.
Maintenance operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Maintenance Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average salary | $35,420 | $42,697 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $47,000 | Between $32,000 And $56,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Idaho |
| Best paying company | Continental Resources | NW Natural |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Finance |
There are a few differences between a maintenance operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:
| Maintenance Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Here are the differences between maintenance operators' and plant operators' demographics:
| Maintenance Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 | 2% | 5% |