Unit operator vs service unit operator

The differences between unit operators and service unit 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 service unit operator. Additionally, a service unit operator has an average salary of $46,507, which is higher than the $41,192 average annual salary of a unit operator.

The top three skills for a unit operator include asphalt, plant equipment and safety procedures. The most important skills for a service unit operator are safety procedures, load trucks, and .

Unit operator vs service unit operator overview

	Unit Operator	Service Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$41,192	$46,507
Hourly rate	$19.80	$22.36
Growth rate	7%	-
Number of jobs	47,545	42,934
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Unit operator vs service unit operator salary

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

	Unit Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average salary	$41,192	$46,507
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $62,000	Between $26,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	Plymouth, MN	-
Highest paying state	Minnesota	-
Best paying company	Applied Materials	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between unit operator and service unit operator education

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

	Unit Operator	Service Unit Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Unit operator vs service unit operator demographics

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

	Unit Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5%	Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0%
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, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between unit operator and service unit 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.

Service unit operator example responsibilities.

swab rigs, single pole, double pole and derricks.
Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
Complete all aspects involve in completions, pulling/running rods, and setting and retrieval of BHA tools.
Perform day to day operational oversight and maintenance over numerous distillation and utility units in a cresylic acid manufacturing facility.
Perform day to day operational oversight and maintenance over numerous distillation and utility units in a cresylic acid manufacturing facility.

Unit operator vs service unit operator skills

Common unit operator skills

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

Common service unit operator skills

Safety Procedures, 54%
Load Trucks, 46%

Unit Operator vs. similar jobs

Unit Operator related careers

Unit Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse construction and extraction jobs