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The differences between plant operators and plant technicians 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 plant technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a plant technician has an average salary of $46,164, 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 plant technician are preventive maintenance, ladders, and data collection.
| Plant Operator | Plant Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,697 | $46,164 |
| Hourly rate | $20.53 | $22.19 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 43,388 | 146,543 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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 plant technician is in charge of overseeing plant operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include installing and upgrading machines and equipment, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, implementing solutions to vulnerable or problem areas, and developing strategies to optimize plant operations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks, conducting corrective measures and adjustments as needed. Furthermore, a plant technician must provide technical support to employees, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Plant operators and plant technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Operator | Plant Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,697 | $46,164 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $56,000 | Between $31,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Kent, WA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Alaska |
| Best paying company | NW Natural | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a plant operator and a plant technician in terms of educational background:
| Plant Operator | Plant Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | - |
Here are the differences between plant operators' and plant technicians' demographics:
| Plant Operator | Plant Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 2% |