Production
Plant and System Operators, All Other
All plant and system operators not listed separately.
Also called: Biofuels Processing Technician, Board Operator, Chemical Operator, Ethanol Operator, Mash Preparatory Operator, Process Operator
- Median pay in Greater Boston
- $64,030
- $30.78/hr
- Jobs in Greater Boston
- 110
- Massachusetts 2024–2034
- Not published
- Typical U.S. entry requirement
- High school diploma or equivalent
- plus Moderate-term on-the-job training
Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.
Pay range in Greater Boston
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $63,160 | $63,160 | $64,030 | $77,860 | $96,890 |
10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.
AI and this job
AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.
Lower exposure23 of 100
The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:
- AIOE 27
- Language-model AIOE 24
- GPTs-are-GPTs 19
Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)
AI exposure for this job is lower, and observed AI use is little or none. This is a catch-all category with no task list, so the details depend on the plant. In general, AI tools may help with data and paperwork, while hands-on equipment checks and safety judgment stay with people.
Likely to change
- Routine paperwork and record-keeping
- Reading equipment data and readouts
Still relies on people
- Hands-on checks of plant equipment
- Safety judgment when something goes wrong
Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.
Next steps from here
Related jobs that build on what you already do.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Experience around industrial equipment helps you move into repairing it. Boston median pay is $75,200, with 17.1% projected growth.
- Pay difference
- +$11,170 median
- AI exposure
- Lower
- MA growth
- +17.1%
- To get started
- High school diploma or equivalent
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Plant systems often rely on valves and controls, so that knowledge carries over. This job pays $95,520 median in Boston, with moderate on-the-job training.
- Pay difference
- +$31,490 median
- AI exposure
- Lower
- MA growth
- +4.8%
- To get started
- High school diploma or equivalent
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Plant experience with pipes and flow systems helps in pipefitting. It offers an apprenticeship, $96,760 median pay, and 6.5% projected growth.
- Pay difference
- +$32,730 median
- AI exposure
- Lower
- MA growth
- +6.5%
- To get started
- High school diploma or equivalent
Training near Boston
College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).
No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.
Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.
Related occupations
- Power Plant Operators
- Chemical Plant and System Operators
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
- Gas Plant Operators
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
- Industrial Production Managers
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
Talk to a career coach
A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.
Talk to a career coach