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The differences between plant operators and transmission 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 a plant operator and a transmission system operator. Additionally, a transmission system operator has an average salary of $88,200, 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 transmission system operator are transmitters, radio equipment, and transmission vehicles.
| Plant Operator | Transmission System Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $42,697 | $88,200 |
| Hourly rate | $20.53 | $42.40 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 43,388 | 44,024 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Plant operators and transmission system operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Operator | Transmission System Operator | |
| Average salary | $42,697 | $88,200 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $56,000 | Between $51,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | - |
| Best paying company | NW Natural | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a plant operator and a transmission system operator in terms of educational background:
| Plant Operator | Transmission System Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Here are the differences between plant operators' and transmission system operators' demographics:
| Plant Operator | Transmission System Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% |
| 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, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |