Unit operator vs junior operator

The differences between unit operators and junior 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 unit operator and a junior operator. Additionally, a unit operator has an average salary of $41,192, which is higher than the $37,735 average annual salary of a junior operator.

The top three skills for a unit operator include asphalt, plant equipment and safety procedures. The most important skills for a junior operator are frac, safety rules, and pallets.

Unit operator vs junior operator overview

	Unit Operator	Junior Operator
Yearly salary	$41,192	$37,735
Hourly rate	$19.80	$18.14
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	47,545	49,016
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Unit operator vs junior operator salary

Unit operators and junior operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Unit Operator	Junior Operator
Average salary	$41,192	$37,735
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $62,000	Between $27,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City	Plymouth, MN	-
Highest paying state	Minnesota	-
Best paying company	Applied Materials	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between unit operator and junior operator education

There are a few differences between a unit operator and a junior operator in terms of educational background:

	Unit Operator	Junior Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Unit operator vs junior operator demographics

Here are the differences between unit operators' and junior operators' demographics:

	Unit Operator	Junior Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5%	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 1.2% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between unit operator and junior operator duties and responsibilities

Unit operator example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain GPS and other equipment.
Drill frac plugs in time efficient manner.
Coordinate, and execute safety programs, JSA's, and reports.
Make Maximo request to get desire jobs put on schedule for repairs.
Perform LOTO procedures for equipment in preparation for maintenance or safety concerns.
Perform day to day operational oversight and maintenance over numerous distillation and utility units in a cresylic acid manufacturing facility.

Junior operator example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain GPS and other equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Perform daily slickline work on company own properties throughout Oklahoma and Texas.

Unit operator vs junior operator skills

Common unit operator skills

Asphalt, 27%
Plant Equipment, 21%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Control Room, 7%
Unit Operations, 6%
Rig, 4%

Common junior operator skills

Frac, 13%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallets, 12%
DOT, 12%
Fall Protection, 9%
OSHA, 8%