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The differences between stationary engineers and process operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a stationary engineer and a process operator. Additionally, a stationary engineer has an average salary of $69,163, which is higher than the $37,996 average annual salary of a process operator.
The top three skills for a stationary engineer include HVAC, preventive maintenance and plumbing. The most important skills for a process operator are safety procedures, preventative maintenance, and team-oriented environment.
| Stationary Engineer | Process Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $69,163 | $37,996 |
| Hourly rate | $33.25 | $18.27 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 5,010 | 83,478 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 50 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Stationary Engineers are employees who are trained to operate machines and equipment. They mainly operate mechanical equipment, boilers, steam engines, and other stationary engines. They are also trained to conduct maintenance checks and basic repairs on such equipment. Stationary Engineers should be able to read gauges on the machines and assess the fuel levels. They are expected to monitor the machines and equipment and to track the operations. They are also expected to record and document the performance of the equipment. Sationary Engineers should know how to test the quality of the machines' outputs. This would help them manage the equipment.
A process operator's role is to supervise all production operations in a manufacturing plant or similar setting. To ensure the efficiency and safety of the workforce and the workload, a process operator must regularly conduct inspections on the manufacturing processes and provide an assessment of the employees' progress. There are also duties that involve producing reports and presentations, keeping and updating data, performing audits, and managing work schedules. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone, all while adhering and implementing the policies and regulations of the company.
Stationary engineers and process operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Stationary Engineer | Process Operator | |
| Average salary | $69,163 | $37,996 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $107,000 | Between $29,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | New York | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital | BWX Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a stationary engineer and a process operator in terms of educational background:
| Stationary Engineer | Process Operator | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between stationary engineers' and process operators' demographics:
| Stationary Engineer | Process Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |