Water jet operator vs plant operator

The differences between water jet operators and plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a water jet operator and a plant operator. Additionally, a plant operator has an average salary of $42,697, which is higher than the $35,007 average annual salary of a water jet operator.

The top three skills for a water jet operator include cnc machines, calipers and hand tools. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.

Water jet operator vs plant operator overview

	Water Jet Operator	Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$35,007	$42,697
Hourly rate	$16.83	$20.53
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	53,663	43,388
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Water jet operator vs plant operator salary

Water jet operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Water Jet Operator	Plant Operator
Average salary	$35,007	$42,697
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $43,000	Between $32,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Idaho
Best paying company	-	NW Natural
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between water jet operator and plant operator education

There are a few differences between a water jet operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Water Jet Operator	Plant Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Duke University	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Water jet operator vs plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between water jet operators' and plant operators' demographics:

	Water Jet Operator	Plant Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between water jet operator and plant operator duties and responsibilities

Water jet operator example responsibilities.

Used Omax machine to cut parts to fill orders, handle material, certify as a forklift operator.
Update and sign-off on job tickets at the conclusion of each job.Skills UsedDirect mail experience or knowledge of USPS regulations.
Perform preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of Omax machine.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Dye setting and machine set up.

Plant operator example responsibilities.

Manage and operate the DCS system or control board.
Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Used basic math skills to calculate the weight of the ammonia by the price it are per ton.
Operate compressors, scrubbers, pipeline, pumps, coolers, and evaporators to liquefy or compress gas.
Maintain and repair all equipment involve in plant processes to keep within OSHA safety standards and EPA environmental codes.

Water jet operator vs plant operator skills

Common water jet operator skills

CNC Machines, 17%
Calipers, 15%
Hand Tools, 15%
Tape Measure, 11%
Cranes, 11%
General Maintenance, 6%

Common plant operator skills

Plant Equipment, 7%
Plant Operations, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Boilers, 5%
Minor Maintenance, 4%
Ladders, 4%