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The differences between utility operators and 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 an operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a utility operator has an average salary of $38,693, which is higher than the $37,928 average annual salary of an operator.
The top three skills for a utility operator include safety standards, safety procedures and hand tools. The most important skills for an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Utility Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,693 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $18.60 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 67,565 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| 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.
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Utility operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,693 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Dignity Health | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a utility operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Utility Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | - |
Here are the differences between utility operators' and operators' demographics:
| Utility Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| 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, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |