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re: How does one go about getting a plant operator job?

Posted on 9/16/19 at 3:55 pm to
Posted by ulsaint
Member since Oct 2007
2460 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 3:55 pm to
How much does a plant operator make? I don't know any but it seems like half you fricks do this kinda work.

Glassdoor said $60k. Is that about right? I mean that's not bad, but I thought, based on comments here, it was way more.
Posted by notiger1997
Metairie
Member since May 2009
58079 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 4:09 pm to
It’s much more than that, especially if you factor in some overtime
Posted by RealityTiger
Geismar, LA
Member since Jan 2010
20435 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 4:15 pm to
Maybe one of the smaller plants. The bigger ones you’ll make anywhere from 90k - 125k, depending on OT and certification level.
Posted by RealityTiger
Geismar, LA
Member since Jan 2010
20435 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 4:19 pm to
quote:

Would love it if you shed some light
I mean I feel like what I said was something most would agree with.
Posted by SimmonsLSU25
Abbeville
Member since Nov 2015
275 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 4:23 pm to
Know a Baw or a Birdseed
Posted by choupic
Somewhere on da bayou
Member since Nov 2009
2022 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 4:50 pm to
On your application put your a black lesbian female. For the sake of diversity, you’ll be the first one offered the job. This country is so fricked.
Posted by ulsaint
Member since Oct 2007
2460 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 9:34 pm to
What kinda benefits do they get?
Posted by HermanBoone
The Chuck
Member since Aug 2013
876 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 9:54 pm to
Some of the better benefits around, actually. 401K match, cheap health, vision, dental, etc..
Posted by indytiger
baton rouge/indy
Member since Oct 2004
9821 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 10:21 pm to
quote:

is literally this simple.

Go to PT school.
Work for contractor while in PT school to get plant experience.
Finish school and apply for operator job



Best post in this thread so far. Spot on.

There are other ways/paths to get on, but this is the most surefire.

Doing well on the aptitude tests helps too. Most plants will bring in groups to take their test. Usually it’s computer based or written. The plant will tell you it’s just pass/fail, but it’s not.
Posted by vjp819
South Sec. 414 / Alex Box Sec. 210
Member since Nov 2003
10882 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 10:40 pm to
quote:

Glassdoor said $60k. Is that about right? I mean that's not bad, but I thought, based on comments here, it was way more.


Maybe at first you might make 70-72k. Really depends on the plant. Dow is the lowest paying plant that I know of, although there are probably more. Syngenta in St. Gabriel pays well, in the 70-72k range to start, and that is before you know anything. You get progression raises every quarter for the first 36 months, and as you go, and you learn some of the process, and are qualified to work OT, you can make much more. The last 17 years I worked there I made well over 120k per year and did not work all the OT i could have. They have good insurance (Blue Cross) Dental, offer vision, and legal. Match the first 10% 401k. Since I retired, they have dropped the pension package. Your retirement is mostly based on what you can save in your 401k. I was lucky in that regard, they still had a good pension, they pay 75% of my medical insurance, plus I had my 401k when i left. It sucks for new employees, but many of the chem plants in our area are dropping pension, and medical now, and putting your retirement on you and what you can save, and leaving you to fund your own medical, although they did increase the match in your 401k. I did not take the lump sum of my pension plus 401k, but used my pension to buy an annuity from the plant, which was much better than anything on the open market, plus collect my SS. I do not have to use my 401k, and saving it as insurance for my wife should she need it. I am presently making as much in retirement as i was while i was working plus a little OT. I was a Sr. Technician when I retired.
This post was edited on 9/16/19 at 10:48 pm
Posted by Rossberg02
Member since Jun 2016
2591 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 11:30 pm to
Mire than likely start off 70k plus overtime. Some guys can make 120+ after overtime included. Just depends where you go and what you do. Some units in Exxon are 300+ hours of forced overtime so far this year.

Some places still offer a pension and match your 401k contributions with cheap health, life, disability, and other benefits.

I was shocked during an interview how well lab techs are paid. Novachem base pay for their lab tech was near 75,000 plus two large bonuses.

Posted by tiger114
Fairhope, AL
Member since Sep 2009
5223 posts
Posted on 9/16/19 at 11:43 pm to
quote:

How does one go about getting a plant operator job?

Why in the frick would anyone want one?
Posted by Asharad
Tiamat
Member since Dec 2010
5678 posts
Posted on 9/17/19 at 5:45 am to
quote:

#1 would be to learn what a plant operator job is. Half of the OT seems pretty ignorant on the subject.
It's your turn to press the silence button. I'm going to hide in the analyzer shack.
Posted by Shwapp
Gonzales, LA
Member since Sep 2016
913 posts
Posted on 9/17/19 at 6:16 am to
"Acknowledged"
Posted by lepdagod
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2015
3347 posts
Posted on 9/17/19 at 6:24 am to
quote:

You have to have clean pee, so it's pretty much impossible.


Kinda of... but not really... just have to be clean when you got to be clean...
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
73674 posts
Posted on 9/17/19 at 6:30 am to
quote:

#1 would be to learn what a plant operator job is. Half of the OT seems pretty ignorant on the subject.



If you need proof...
quote:

It's your turn to press the silence button. I'm going to hide in the analyzer shack.


Posted by double d
Amarillo by morning
Member since Jun 2004
16400 posts
Posted on 9/17/19 at 6:36 am to
quote:

Half of the OT seems pretty ignorant on the subject.


Most accurate statement I'll read on here today! The job is not what you see on Refined! It's also very easy to get fired these days if you screw up.....unless you have "the card".
Posted by double d
Amarillo by morning
Member since Jun 2004
16400 posts
Posted on 9/17/19 at 6:38 am to
quote:

Why in the frick would anyone want one?


Easily six figures for not much hard work most of the time. Know guys who pull down almost 200K per year, but they work a ton of OT.
Posted by Tempratt
WRMS Girls Soccer Team Kicks arse
Member since Oct 2013
13262 posts
Posted on 9/17/19 at 6:47 am to
I'd say that a BS at least is required but I'm not sure.
Posted by russellvillehog
Member since Apr 2016
9711 posts
Posted on 9/20/19 at 9:33 am to
quote:

You have to have clean pee, so it's pretty much impossible.


Pro tip. You can drink about a gallon of water. Pee 3 times, and pass any drug test as your urine will be 100% water.

Unless they are testing for creatinine (99% of all tests do not test for this unless you are in drug court)
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