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What is a scada operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a scada operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.86 an hour? That's $45,474 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -7% and produce -8,600 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreScada OperatorUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $45,474

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate -7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.37%

Asian 1.74%

Black or African American 5.29%

Hispanic or Latino 8.76%

Unknown 4.50%

White 77.35%

Gender

female 8.00%

male 92.00%

Age - 47.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47.5
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a scada operator

  1. Explore scada operator education requirements

    Most common scada operator degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.6 %

    Associate

    33.3 %

    High School Diploma

    11.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific scada operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    SCADA100.00%
  3. Complete relevant scada operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New scada operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a scada operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real scada operator resumes.
  4. Research scada operator duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
    • Acknowledge and answer SCADA alarms by identifying priority levels and notifying appropriate personnel.
    • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
    • Conduct leak surveys along pipelines using flame-pak and CGI units.
  5. Apply for scada operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a scada operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first scada operator job

Zippi

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Average scada operator salary

The average scada operator salary in the United States is $45,474 per year or $22 per hour. Scada operator salaries range between $32,000 and $64,000 per year.

Average scada operator salary
$45,474 Yearly
$21.86 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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