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Process operator vs instrumentation electrician

The differences between process operators and instrumentation electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a process operator, becoming an instrumentation electrician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an instrumentation electrician has an average salary of $59,130, which is higher than the $37,996 average annual salary of a process operator.

The top three skills for a process operator include safety procedures, preventative maintenance and team-oriented environment. The most important skills for an instrumentation electrician are PLC, control systems, and ladders.

Process operator vs instrumentation electrician overview

Process OperatorInstrumentation Electrician
Yearly salary$37,996$59,130
Hourly rate$18.27$28.43
Growth rate3%7%
Number of jobs83,47815,829
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 56%
Average age4642
Years of experience212

Process operator vs instrumentation electrician salary

Process operators and instrumentation electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Process OperatorInstrumentation Electrician
Average salary$37,996$59,130
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $48,000Between $42,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CityGrand Forks, ND-
Highest paying stateWyoming-
Best paying companyBWX Technologies-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between process operator and instrumentation electrician education

There are a few differences between a process operator and an instrumentation electrician in terms of educational background:

Process OperatorInstrumentation Electrician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford University-

Process operator vs instrumentation electrician demographics

Here are the differences between process operators' and instrumentation electricians' demographics:

Process OperatorInstrumentation Electrician
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 70.1% Female, 29.9%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%3%

Differences between process operator and instrumentation electrician duties and responsibilities

Process operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
  • Climb ladders to inspect manholes, check temps, sometimes gather samples for lab analysis.
  • Demonstrate ability to perform basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, ratios, weights & measures).
  • Control product temperatures and monitor gauges.
  • Review FHA files for completeness and compliance.
  • Use of ladders, stairs, heavy lifting and temperature extremes.
    • Show more

Instrumentation electrician example responsibilities.

  • Repair or replace rectifier controls for DC motors.
  • Adhere to OSHA and EPA regulations in manufacturing industry.
  • Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to well in house electrical switches and outlets.
  • Help to set up computer networks for the PLC's and illusion to work to gather.
  • Perform Electrical/Mechanical/Hydraulic maintenance on CNC machinery.
  • Perform Electrical/Mechanical/Hydraulic maintenance on CNC machinery.

Process operator vs instrumentation electrician skills

Common process operator skills
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 7%
  • Team-Oriented Environment, 7%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Data Entry, 4%
Common instrumentation electrician skills
  • PLC, 15%
  • Control Systems, 9%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Transmitters, 5%
  • Control Valves, 5%
  • Electrical Equipment, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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