10 of the Most Popular Types of Control Operator Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Control Operator jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Control Operator Jobs

• Power Plant Operator

  Salary range: $62,500 - $122,000

  As a power plant operator, your duties are to operate and maintain equipment that generates power and regulate these generators to control the output and storage of energy. You also manage the proper flow of electricity and voltage based on consumer demands. At a nuclear power plant, for example, you adjust control rods which generate power, and monitor the reactors, wind turbines, and cooling systems to ensure they operate within specified parameters. At a solar installation, your responsibilities are to monitor heat transfer and position and adjust solar panels or mirrors based on meteorological conditions.

• Offshore Control Room Operator

  Salary range: $38,000 - $53,000

  Offshore Control Room Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Offshore Control Room Operator jobs pay between $38,000 (25th percentile) and $53,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Offshore Control Room Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Machine Operator

  Salary range: $34,000 - $40,500

  Machine operators are skilled in operating machinery, often specializing in one type of machinery or industry to become an expert. Machine operators also have a general skillset, knowing how to operate a wide range of industrial machinery. Since there are numerous industries and sectors that use a multitude of machinery, there is always room to learn more.

• Control Room Operator Power Plant

  Salary range: $38,000 - $53,000

  Control Room Operator Power Plant is a typical job search query Most salaries for Control Room Operator Power Plant jobs pay between $38,000 (25th percentile) and $53,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Control Room Operator Power Plant job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Scada Control Room Operator

  Salary range: $38,000 - $53,000

  Scada Control Room Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Scada Control Room Operator jobs pay between $38,000 (25th percentile) and $53,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Scada Control Room Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Heavy Equipment

  Salary range: $62,500 - $76,000

  Heavy equipment jobs are typically within the construction or industrial maintenance industries. The two main categories of heavy equipment jobs are heavy equipment operator and heavy equipment mechanic. As a heavy equipment operator, you are in charge of running large pieces of equipment to help build or maintain roads, bridges, large structures, and tunnels or pipelines. Your job duties may include operating bulldozers, front-end loaders, or backhoes responsibly during large projects. Heavy equipment mechanics, on the other hand, help to keep this equipment in working order for the operators by working on engines and other moving parts of the machinery.

• Controller

  Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500

  A controller is high-level accounting position in a firm or company. They often report directly to the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and are responsible for budgets, audits, and financial reports, as well as ensuring the company complies with all tax codes and regulations.

• Cnc Operator

  Salary range: $41,000 - $56,000

  A CNC (computer numerical control) machine or router dictates the actions of electromechanical devices. By adding computer programming inputs into the CNC router, a CNC operator (or CNC programmer) can manipulate devices, such as shop machines, into mechanically producing components out of stock material. CNC machines interpret programmed designs as instructions for cutting, sculpting, and finishing prototype parts. CNC is an accurate and repeatable method of machining. Another common CNC method is 3D printing technology.

• Heavy Equipment Operator

  Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000

  Heavy Equipment Operator jobs require the safe and proper use of various types of heavy machinery in a large construction or demolition environment. The tasks of a Heavy Equipment Operator vary depending on the type of job and machinery. Examples of heavy equipment include bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and backhoes. Heavy equipment operators most commonly work in construction, oil and gas pipelines, and logging.

• Crane Operator

  Salary range: $45,000 - $69,000

  A Crane Operator is a professional heavy machine operator, specializing in cranes. Cranes are a unique kind of heavy equipment that uses pulley systems to move around, raise, and lower large items, such as shipping containers and steel beams. A Crane Operator is in charge of moving these things where they need to go, safely and efficiently. The also log their work, discuss and plan with their team, and perform basic maintenance on their machine.