Outside operator vs distribution system operator

The differences between outside operators and distribution system operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an outside operator and a distribution system operator. Additionally, a distribution system operator has an average salary of $58,785, which is higher than the $40,793 average annual salary of an outside operator.

The top three skills for an outside operator include patrol, golf carts and cart barn. The most important skills for a distribution system operator are safety procedures, gauges, and minor maintenance.

Outside operator vs distribution system operator overview

	Outside Operator	Distribution System Operator
Yearly salary	$40,793	$58,785
Hourly rate	$19.61	$28.26
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	47,129	51,063
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 37%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Outside operator vs distribution system operator salary

Outside operators and distribution system operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Outside Operator	Distribution System Operator
Average salary	$40,793	$58,785
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $55,000	Between $24,000 And $142,000
Highest paying City	-	New Bedford, MA
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Exelon
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between outside operator and distribution system operator education

There are a few differences between an outside operator and a distribution system operator in terms of educational background:

	Outside Operator	Distribution System Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Outside operator vs distribution system operator demographics

Here are the differences between outside operators' and distribution system operators' demographics:

	Outside Operator	Distribution System Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between outside operator and distribution system operator duties and responsibilities

Outside operator example responsibilities.

Manage multiple large volume fermentation tanks simultaneously.
Used LOTO, permitting and procedures to ensure safe release of equipment.
Monitor process and equipment operating conditions through field gauges and DCS readings.
Perform facility wide LOTO on all equipment that work are to be perform on.
Load acrylamide, acrylic acid, and caustic onto trailers and railcars using industry standard PPE.
Monitor and adjust distillation variables such as: temperature, flow rate, pressure, and time.

Distribution system operator example responsibilities.

Tabulate data and enter all events including problems into scanned PC database.
Train to perform IP functions and how to configure TCP/IP within the network.
Install, and operate natural gas, plumbing, water and wastewater treatment systems.
Preform real-time and before the fact studies to insure stability of the system and compliance to NERC standards.
Implement and develop supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and outage management systems, including AutoCAD and SCADA.
Operate and maintain all pneumatic, DDC and VAV heating and cooling systems.

Outside operator vs distribution system operator skills

Common outside operator skills

Patrol, 27%
Golf Carts, 10%
Cart Barn, 6%
Outside Operations, 5%
Golf Balls, 4%
Cart Fleet, 4%

Common distribution system operator skills

Safety Procedures, 16%
Gauges, 10%
Minor Maintenance, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
API, 5%
Storage Tanks, 5%

Outside Operator vs. similar jobs

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Outside Operator
Outside Operator vs Distribution System Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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