Process operator demographics and statistics in the US
Process operator demographics research summary. Zippia estimates process operator demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our process operator estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about process operators after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 27,184 process operators currently employed in the United States.
- 29.9% of all process operators are women, while 70.1% are men.
- The average process operator age is 46 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of process operators is White (58.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (20.3%), Black or African American (11.7%) and Asian (4.5%).
- Process operators are most in-demand in Charlotte, NC.
- The manufacturing industry is the highest-paying for process operators.
- Grand Forks, ND pays an annual average wage of $49,504, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women process operators earned 92% of what men earned.
- 6% of all process operators are LGBT.
- New Hampshire is the best state for process operators to live.
- Process operators are 51% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Process operator demographics by:
Process operator gender statistics
29.9% of process operators are women and 70.1% of process operators are men.
- Male, 70.1%
- Female, 29.9%
Process operator gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 70.1% |
| Female | 29.9% |
Process operator gender pay gap
Women earn 92¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$40,767
Female income
$37,700
Process operator gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in process operator positions over time. Currently, 29.9% of process operators are female.
Process operator gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 74.27% | 25.73% |
| 2011 | 74.08% | 25.92% |
| 2012 | 74.91% | 25.09% |
| 2013 | 75.32% | 24.68% |
| 2014 | 74.69% | 25.31% |
| 2015 | 73.45% | 26.55% |
| 2016 | 74.01% | 25.99% |
| 2017 | 73.68% | 26.32% |
| 2018 | 71.75% | 28.25% |
| 2019 | 73.36% | 26.64% |
| 2020 | 71.55% | 28.45% |
| 2021 | 70.07% | 29.93% |
Process operator related jobs gender ratio
We compared process operators with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, pressroom foreman and tubing supervisor have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Word Processing Supervisor | 13% | 88% |
| Dental Laboratory Supervisor | 21% | 79% |
| Embroidery Supervisor | 24% | 76% |
| Process Operator | 70% | 30% |
| Machine Shop Foreman | 98% | 2% |
| Tubing Supervisor | 98% | 2% |
| Pressroom Foreman | 99% | 1% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Process operator demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among process operators is White, which makes up 58.8% of all process operators. Comparatively, 20.3% of process operators are Hispanic or Latino and 11.7% of process operators are Black or African American.
- White, 58.8%
- Hispanic or Latino, 20.3%
- Black or African American, 11.7%
- Asian, 4.5%
- Unknown, 4.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
Process operator race
| Process operator race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 58.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20.3% |
| Black or African American | 11.7% |
| Asian | 4.5% |
| Unknown | 4.1% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.6% |
Process operator race and ethnicity over time
See how process operator racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Process operator race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 65.47% | 11.22% | 3.78% | 17.70% |
| 2011 | 65.64% | 11.13% | 3.73% | 17.77% |
| 2012 | 64.93% | 11.13% | 3.71% | 18.29% |
| 2013 | 66.27% | 10.24% | 3.91% | 17.88% |
| 2014 | 64.64% | 10.64% | 4.14% | 18.57% |
| 2015 | 64.68% | 10.84% | 3.84% | 18.84% |
| 2016 | 63.72% | 10.85% | 3.97% | 19.55% |
| 2017 | 63.15% | 11.44% | 4.48% | 18.76% |
| 2018 | 64.43% | 10.57% | 4.07% | 19.10% |
| 2019 | 62.74% | 11.11% | 4.31% | 19.86% |
| 2020 | 61.64% | 10.71% | 4.47% | 19.04% |
| 2021 | 58.78% | 11.70% | 4.48% | 20.28% |
Process operator wage gap by race
According to our data, white process operators have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american process operators have the lowest average salary at $39,501.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $40,237 |
| White | $41,737 |
| Black or African American | $39,501 |
| Asian | $41,681 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $40,726 |
Average process operator age
See how the average age of process operators varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Process operator age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 48 | 48 |
| Unknown | 45 | 44 |
| Asian | 45.5 | 47 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 45 | 45 |
| White | 48 | 49 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 48 |
Process operator age breakdown
The average age of process operators is 40+ years years old, representing 71% of the process operator population.
Process operator age breakdown
| Process Operator Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 71% |
| 30-40 years | 23% |
| 20-30 years | 6% |
Process operator educational attainment
The most common degree for process operators is bachelor's degree, with 36% of process operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 26% and associate degree degree at 24%.
- Bachelor's, 36%
- Associate, 26%
- High School Diploma, 24%
- Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 8%
Process operators by degree level
| Process operator degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 36% |
| Associate | 26% |
| High School Diploma | 24% |
| Diploma | 6% |
| Other Degrees | 8% |
Process operator jobs you might like
Process operator wage gap by degree level
According to the data, process operators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $46,281 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, process operators earn a median annual income of $42,355 compared to $39,409 for process operators with an Associate degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $46,281 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $37,079 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $42,355 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $39,409 |
Process operator employment statistics
Most process operators work for a private in the manufacturing industry.
Company size where process operators work
Below, you can see the size of companies where process operators work.
Process operator jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 2% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 7% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 15% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 6% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 32% |
| > 10,000 employees | 38% |
Process operator jobs by company type
Employees with the process operator job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most process operators prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Process operator jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 1% |
| Public | 48% |
| Private | 51% |
| Government | 1% |
Process operator jobs by industry
The most common industries for process operators are manufacturing, energy and finance.
Process operator industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 28% |
| Fortune 500 | 21% |
| Energy | 8% |
| Finance | 7% |
| Professional | 7% |
| Technology | 6% |
| Pharmaceutical | 4% |
| Retail | 4% |
| Health Care | 3% |
| Media | 2% |
| Construction | 2% |
| Automotive | 1% |
| Utilities | 1% |
| Hospitality | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Education | 1% |
| Agriculture | 1% |
| Insurance | 1% |
Process operator turnover and employment statistics
Process operator unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for process operators between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Process operator unemployment rate by year
| Year | Process operator unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7.60% |
| 2011 | 6.12% |
| 2012 | 4.56% |
| 2013 | 3.89% |
| 2014 | 2.82% |
| 2015 | 2.49% |
| 2016 | 2.43% |
| 2017 | 1.97% |
| 2018 | 1.74% |
| 2019 | 1.98% |
| 2020 | 3.23% |
| 2021 | 3.00% |
Average process operator tenure
The average process operator stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 11,092 process operators resumes in Zippia's database.
Process operator tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 18% |
| 1-2 years | 28% |
| 3-4 years | 15% |
| 5-7 years | 17% |
| 8-10 years | 7% |
| 11+ years | 14% |
Process operator LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of process operators that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | 2.37% | 60,297 |
| Laser Operator | 2.83% | 56,479 |
| Quality Control Inspector | 3.84% | 92,794 |
| Laundry Aide | 5.06% | 45,254 |
| Process Operator | 5.63% | - |
| Petroleum Supply Specialist | 9.20% | 17,014 |
| Scanner Operator | 20.58% | 29,750 |
Similar process operator jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | 2.37% | 60,297 |
| Laser Operator | 2.83% | 56,479 |
| Quality Control Inspector | 3.84% | 92,794 |
| Laundry Aide | 5.06% | 45,254 |
| Petroleum Supply Specialist | 9.20% | 17,014 |
| Scanner Operator | 20.58% | 29,750 |
Foreign languages spoken by process operators
The most common foreign language among process operators is Spanish at 68.1%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 8.1% and German is the third-most popular at 3.3%.
- Spanish, 68.1%
- French, 8.1%
- German, 3.3%
- Hmong, 2.4%
- Chinese, 1.9%
- Other, 16.2%
Process operator languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 68.1% |
| French | 8.1% |
| German | 3.3% |
| Hmong | 2.4% |
| Chinese | 1.9% |
| Other | 16.2% |
