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Senior Plant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Operator 3 or 4 serves as a senior level operator with recognized technical expertise in plant and system operations. This position performs the most complex operating activities, results non routine ...

Senior Plant Engineer

Wilson, NC

$79K - $108K/yr

Senior Plant Engineer As the leader of the maintenance and engineering department in a fast-paced ... our plant operating at peak performance. You'll be the driving force behind Preventive and ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Senior Plant Engineer

Wilson, NC ยท On-site

$76K - $105K/yr

Senior Plant Engineer As the leader of the maintenance and engineering department in a fast-paced ... our plant operating at peak performance. You'll be the driving force behind Preventive and ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Plant Operator opening. We promptly ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Plant Operator information

See salary details

$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior plant operator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior plant operator in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Senior Plant Operators?

Senior Plant Operators are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of industrial plants or facilities, such as power plants, water treatment facilities, or manufacturing sites. They monitor equipment, control systems, and processes to ensure everything runs safely and efficiently. In addition to operating machinery, they often supervise junior staff, troubleshoot technical issues, and help implement safety and maintenance procedures. Their role is crucial for maintaining production targets and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Plant Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Plant Operator, you need in-depth knowledge of plant operations, process controls, and safety regulations, often backed by a technical diploma or relevant certifications. Familiarity with distributed control systems (DCS), SCADA systems, and equipment maintenance protocols is typically required. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to lead and communicate effectively with a team are highly valued soft skills. These competencies are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and continuous plant operations while minimizing downtime and maintaining compliance.

What is the difference between Senior Plant Operator vs Plant Operator?

AspectSenior Plant OperatorPlant Operator
CertificationsOften requires additional certifications or licenses, such as advanced operator licensesBasic operator licenses typically sufficient
Work EnvironmentSupervises operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance tasksPerforms routine operation and monitoring of plant equipment
ResponsibilitiesOversees team, ensures safety compliance, and handles complex issuesOperates equipment, monitors systems, and reports issues

The main difference between a Senior Plant Operator and a Plant Operator lies in responsibility level and required certifications. Senior Plant Operators typically oversee operations, handle complex troubleshooting, and may supervise staff, while Plant Operators focus on routine operations and monitoring. Both roles are essential in plant operations, but the senior position involves more leadership and technical expertise.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Plant Operators, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Plant Operators often face challenges such as troubleshooting complex equipment issues, maintaining strict safety and environmental standards, and managing shift teams efficiently. Staying current with technological advancements and regulatory changes is essential, as is effective communication with maintenance, engineering, and management teams. Many operators address these challenges by participating in ongoing training, fostering a proactive safety culture, and developing strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
What cities are hiring for Senior Plant Operator jobs? Cities with the most Senior Plant Operator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Operator jobs? The most popular types of Plant Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Plant Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Plant Operator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Plant Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 55% Full Time, and 43% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Power Plant Operator

Power Plant Operator

Airswift

Gregory, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Vacancy OverviewPower Plant Operator
- Corpus Christi, TX

Our client is seeking a Power Plant Operator to work within their facilities located in Corpus Christi, TX, for an initial one-year assignment.
Operator 3 or 4 serves as a senior level operator with recognized technical expertise in plant and system operations. This position performs the most complex operating activities, results non routine or escalated issues, leads operational response during abnormal conditions, and provides direction to other operators. The Operator 3 or 4 ensures high levels of reliability, compliance, and plant performance while contributing to technical decisions and system optimization.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Perform advanced, complex operating tasks requiring expert technical judgment.
  • Independently diagnose abnormal plant conditions and determine appropriate corrective actions.
  • Execute major operating activities such as system transitions, complex startups/shutdowns, and high-risk operational adjustments.
  • Validate compliance with operating procedures, environmental requirements, and plant safety standards.
  • Check the work of others, validate logs and records, and review operating results for accuracy.
  • Lead operational troubleshooting efforts and guide decisions when plant performance issues arise.
  • Provide mentoring, oversight, and technical coaching to operator one and two and three personnel.
  • Contribute to procedure development, operational improvements, and system performance optimization.
  • Represent operations in coordination with maintenance, engineering, vendors, and leadership.
Required Skills:
  • Advanced knowledge of complex plant systems including steam production, cooling systems, condensers, turbines, boilers, chemical processes, and auxiliary equipment.
  • Deep understanding of control systems (DCS), alarms, automated sequences, and plant behavior under varied operating conditions.
  • Ability to solve highly complex operational problems that require interpretation of data, chemistry logs, and system interactions.
  • Expertise in environmental compliance, safety programs, and regulatory guidelines.
  • Strong analytical skills to assess plant performance and recommend improvements.
  • Technical leadership capability, including mentoring and guiding operational decision making
Education/Experience:
  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Technical coursework, vocational training, or associate degree in a related field (process technology, industrial operations, instrumentation, or similar) preferred.
  • Combination of equivalent training and extensive technical experience acceptable
  • Operator 3: Minimum of Five (5) years of operating experience in power generation, industrial processing, or a closely related environment.
  • Operator 4: Minimum of eight (8) years of operating experience in power generation, industrial processing, or a closely related environment.
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