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The differences between pipeline operators and refinery operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a pipeline operator and a refinery operator. Additionally, a refinery operator has an average salary of $47,058, which is higher than the $46,175 average annual salary of a pipeline operator.
The top three skills for a pipeline operator include DOT, pipeline operations and scrubbers. The most important skills for a refinery operator are safety procedures, ladders, and product quality.
| Pipeline Operator | Refinery Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $46,175 | $47,058 |
| Hourly rate | $22.20 | $22.62 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 30,609 | 34,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 30% | High School Diploma, 29% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The job of a pipeline operator is to control the flow of gas, oil, and other materials being sent through pipelines at refineries or power plants. Your day-to-day duties typically include conducting routine inspections and maintenance of the pipeline systems, training new staff members on procedures and policies, and operating petroleum processing or refining units. In addition, you will be responsible for gauging oil in storage tanks, controlling pumping systems, and regulating oil flow into pipelines.
Refinery operators oversee the entire production process of the plant operation. Responsibilities for this position are as diverse as the required knowledge fields, including identifying and correcting refinery process issues, operating equipment, monitoring meters and gauges, and meeting set area production goals. It necessitates many knowledge requirements, including, but not at all limited to product quality, control room operations, safety procedures, OSHA regulations, and process conditions.
Pipeline operators and refinery operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipeline Operator | Refinery Operator | |
| Average salary | $46,175 | $47,058 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $68,000 | Between $30,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a pipeline operator and a refinery operator in terms of educational background:
| Pipeline Operator | Refinery Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 30% | High School Diploma, 29% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipeline operators' and refinery operators' demographics:
| Pipeline Operator | Refinery Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |