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The differences between plant operators and process 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 process technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a plant operator has an average salary of $42,697, which is higher than the $39,462 average annual salary of a process technician.
The top three skills for a plant operator include plant equipment, plant operations and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a process technician are basic math, patients, and OSHA.
| Plant Operator | Process Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,697 | $39,462 |
| Hourly rate | $20.53 | $18.97 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 43,388 | 74,367 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| 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 process technician is responsible for managing the equipment and machinery used for various industries, such as manufacturing and engineering. Process technicians must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating certain equipment types and making adjustments on its features as needed, depending on the needs of the operation. They also run diagnostic tests to check a machine's working condition to ensure that it's free of any inconsistencies. A process technician also helps develop structure methods by communicating with the technical team and escalating all defective findings to the supervisor.
Plant operators and process technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Operator | Process Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,697 | $39,462 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $56,000 | Between $30,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | NW Natural | HP |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a plant operator and a process technician in terms of educational background:
| Plant Operator | Process Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between plant operators' and process technicians' demographics:
| Plant Operator | Process Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |