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The differences between plant operators and boiler operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a plant operator, becoming a boiler operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a boiler operator has an average salary of $49,782, which is higher than the $42,697 average annual salary of a plant operator.
The top three skills for a plant operator include plant equipment, plant operations and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a boiler operator are preventive maintenance, air compressors, and boiler room.
| Plant Operator | Boiler Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $42,697 | $49,782 |
| Hourly rate | $20.53 | $23.93 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 43,388 | 32,715 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 47 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
A boiler operator specializes in the maintenance and repair of boiler machines and similar facilities in industrial establishments such as warehouses, power plants, and factories. As a boiler operator, it is their responsibility to monitor and operate systems and equipment, perform adjustments, observe factors such as temperature and pressure, write daily records, and replace equipment parts as needed. They may also maintain the cleanliness of areas, keeping supplies organized at all times. Furthermore, a boiler operator must conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
Plant operators and boiler operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Operator | Boiler Operator | |
| Average salary | $42,697 | $49,782 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $56,000 | Between $35,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Ithaca, NY |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | New York |
| Best paying company | NW Natural | Southeastern Med |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a plant operator and a boiler operator in terms of educational background:
| Plant Operator | Boiler Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Engineering |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | - |
Here are the differences between plant operators' and boiler operators' demographics:
| Plant Operator | Boiler Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |