Power operator vs plant operator

The differences between power operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plant operator has an average salary of $42,697, which is higher than the $38,263 average annual salary of a power operator.

The top three skills for a power operator include pallets, control room and electrical systems. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Power operator vs plant operator overview

	Power Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$38,263	$42,697
Hourly rate	$18.40	$20.53
Growth rate	-15%	-7%
Number of jobs	39,171	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	46	47
Years of experience	-	12

Power operator vs plant operator salary

Power operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Power Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$38,263	$42,697
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $50,000	Between $32,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Idaho
Best paying company	-	NW Natural
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between power operator and plant operator education

There are a few differences between a power operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Power Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Power operator vs plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between power operators' and plant operators' demographics:

	Power Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	46	47
Gender ratio	Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 1.5% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	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%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between power operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Power operator example responsibilities.

Manage an internal environmental information system and ensure compliance with EPA and RCRA regulations.
Operate heavy equipment, loaders, lifts, hand and power tools to complete skil tasks.
Adjust controls of water and cold feed systems, blowers and igniters to start up and shut down boilers.
Help electrical maintenance department troubleshoot motors and other electrical devices.
Identify parameters indicative of an emergency condition and initiate designated actions, execute terminal shutdown and start-up procedures upon approval.
Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.

Plant operator example responsibilities.

Manage and operate the DCS system or control board.
Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Used basic math skills to calculate the weight of the ammonia by the price it are per ton.
Operate compressors, scrubbers, pipeline, pumps, coolers, and evaporators to liquefy or compress gas.
Maintain and repair all equipment involve in plant processes to keep within OSHA safety standards and EPA environmental codes.

Power operator vs plant operator skills

Common power operator skills

Pallets, 28%
Control Room, 19%
Electrical Systems, 9%
Water Treatment, 8%
Cooling Towers, 5%
HVAC, 4%

Common plant operator skills

Plant Equipment, 7%
Plant Operations, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Boilers, 5%
Minor Maintenance, 4%
Ladders, 4%