Do plant operators make good money?

No, plant operators do not make good money. The average plant operator earns $38,000 a year, with the top earners averaging between $60,000 and $80,000 a year. There are some companies and industries that pay plant operators better than others. A Marathon petroleum plant operator, for example, averages $80,084 a year (range: $43K - $91K), which is 71% higher than the national average.

How much do operators at plants make?

Operators at plants make $38,000 a year, on average ($18.47 an hour). However, there is some variability in how much a plant operator can make, starting from as low as $27,000 a year to as high as $83,000 a year. Factors such as the location and industry impact how much an operator at a plant can make.

How To Become A Plant Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a plant operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A plant operator is an individual responsible for overseeing and maintaining machinery in various industrial settings such as power plants, chemical processing facilities, and water treatment plants. They ensure that equipment operates efficiently, troubleshoot any issues that arise, and perform routine maintenance tasks. Plant operators monitor instruments, gauges, and meters to detect potential problems and adjust controls to maintain optimal performance. They also record data and maintain logs to track equipment performance.

ScorePlant OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,697

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

8.6

Growth Rate -7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.52%

Asian 1.84%

Black or African American 7.85%

Hispanic or Latino 12.74%

Unknown 4.58%

White 70.47%

Gender

female 6.48%

male 93.52%

Age - 47.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47.5

Stress Level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.2

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.8

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Plant Operator?

Pros

Good salary and benefits package
Opportunities for advancement and career growth
Job security and stability
Opportunities to work with advanced technology and equipment
Opportunities for continuing education and training

Cons

Physically demanding work environment
Exposure to hazardous materials and dangerous conditions
Long hours and shift work
High levels of stress and pressure
Strict safety regulations and protocols to follow

Newest jobs for Plant Operator in Columbus, OH

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Key steps to become a plant operator

Explore plant operator education requirements

Most common plant operator degrees

High School Diploma

33.5 %

Bachelor's

26.4 %

Associate

24.0 %

Start to develop specific plant operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Plant Equipment	7.30%
Plant Operations	6.19%
Preventative Maintenance	5.37%
Boilers	4.94%
Minor Maintenance	4.47%

Complete relevant plant operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New plant operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a plant operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real plant operator resumes.

Gain additional plant operator certifications

Plant operator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific plant operator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for plant operators include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research plant operator duties and 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.

Prepare your plant operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your plant operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a plant operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Plant Operator Resume templates

Build a professional Plant Operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Plant Operator resume.

Apply for plant operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a plant operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do plant operators rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Plant Operator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

Pay

Cons

Safety ,no clean air systems ,the whole yard is always covered in silica,and other dangurouse dusts. Can't where mast all the time but you should. Management sucks.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Cons

i dont know but i have an interview to give so thats why i am searching

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019

Pros

EVERYDAY HAS NEW CHALLENGE EVERYDAY PRESENTS MOTIVATION ASSORTMENT OF AREAS KEEP ALL AREAS BALANCED AND SMOOTH RUNNING

Cons

CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING

What is a plant operator and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a Plant Operator?

Newest jobs for Plant Operator in Columbus, OH

Plant Operator career paths

Key steps to become a plant operator

Explore plant operator education requirements

Most common plant operator degrees

Start to develop specific plant operator skills

Complete relevant plant operator training and internships

Gain additional plant operator certifications

Research plant operator duties and responsibilities

Prepare your plant operator resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Plant Operator Resume templates

Apply for plant operator jobs

How Did You Land Your First Plant Operator Job

Average plant operator salary

How do plant operators rate their job?

Plant Operator reviews

Plant Operator FAQs

Do plant operators make good money?

How much do operators at plants make?

Search for plant operator jobs

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