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The differences between utility operators and mill operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a utility operator, becoming a mill operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mill operator has an average salary of $39,045, which is higher than the $38,693 average annual salary of a utility operator.
The top three skills for a utility operator include safety standards, safety procedures and hand tools. The most important skills for a mill operator are CNC, OSHA, and math.
| Utility Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,693 | $39,045 |
| Hourly rate | $18.60 | $18.77 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 67,565 | 64,574 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Utility Operators are skilled employees who work with different machines, fixtures, and equipment. They operate a number of machines related to the maintenance of office facilities. Such machines include wastewater filtration systems, manufacturing equipment, and cabling works, among others. They also manage water pipes, machine gauges, and electrical cables. Utility Operators manage the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of industrial machines. They should know how to check whether the machines or equipment are working properly. When equipped with the proper tools and knowledge, they may also conduct repairs on the different machines they handle.
Mill operators are skilled employees who are responsible for operating and maintaining milling machines that grind materials such as rocks or chemicals at a milling facility. These operators must gather raw materials for production and assist with the inventory of all materials. They must operate a wide variety of equipment such as power saws, sanders, drill press, and basic hand tools while performing regular maintenance and troubleshooting on the milling machines. Mill operators must also attend safety meetings that are held weekly and monthly to ensure machine operators are following safety procedures.
Utility operators and mill operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,693 | $39,045 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Dignity Health | Freeport-McMoRan |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Construction |
There are a few differences between a utility operator and a mill operator in terms of educational background:
| Utility Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | - |
Here are the differences between utility operators' and mill operators' demographics:
| Utility Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% | Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |