Task lead vs process operator

The differences between task leads 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 task lead and a process operator. Additionally, a task lead has an average salary of $106,965, which is higher than the $37,996 average annual salary of a process operator.

The top three skills for a task lead include project management, DOD and C++. The most important skills for a process operator are safety procedures, preventative maintenance, and team-oriented environment.

Task lead vs process operator overview

	Task Lead	Process Operator
Yearly salary	$106,965	$37,996
Hourly rate	$51.43	$18.27
Growth rate	9%	3%
Number of jobs	9,233	83,478
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Task lead vs process operator salary

Task leads and process operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Task Lead	Process Operator
Average salary	$106,965	$37,996
Salary range	Between $81,000 And $141,000	Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	-	Wyoming
Best paying company	-	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between task lead and process operator education

There are a few differences between a task lead and a process operator in terms of educational background:

	Task Lead	Process Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Task lead vs process operator demographics

Here are the differences between task leads' and process operators' demographics:

	Task Lead	Process Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5%	Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 4.8% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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	6%	6%

Differences between task lead and process operator duties and responsibilities

Task lead example responsibilities.

Manage a complex network of UNIX, Linux, and virtual servers across multiple command centers.
Manage multiple environmental remediation strategy projects (~ $300k each) as a consultant to the U.S. EPA.
Manage document and SharePoint site development.
Organize speaker series and manage logistics for multiple senior technology consultants.
Collaborate with infrastructure team to get deployment within standards, and get application security centrally manage.
Build the new VMware servers and administration.

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.

Task lead vs process operator skills

Common task lead skills

Project Management, 11%
DOD, 7%
C++, 6%
Infrastructure, 6%
Status Reports, 6%
Logistics, 6%

Common process operator skills

Safety Procedures, 8%
Preventative Maintenance, 7%
Team-Oriented Environment, 7%
Ladders, 5%
Customer Service, 4%
Data Entry, 4%