Disposal operator vs wastewater treatment operator

The differences between disposal operators and wastewater treatment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a disposal operator and a wastewater treatment operator. Additionally, a wastewater treatment operator has an average salary of $45,618, which is higher than the $41,101 average annual salary of a disposal operator.

The top three skills for a disposal operator include DOT, EPA and equipment maintenance. The most important skills for a wastewater treatment operator are plant equipment, process control, and blowers.

Disposal operator vs wastewater treatment operator overview

	Disposal Operator	Wastewater Treatment Operator
Yearly salary	$41,101	$45,618
Hourly rate	$19.76	$21.93
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	33,072	32,561
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Disposal operator vs wastewater treatment operator salary

Disposal operators and wastewater treatment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Disposal Operator	Wastewater Treatment Operator
Average salary	$41,101	$45,618
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $63,000	Between $32,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	-	Mercer Island, WA
Highest paying state	-	Idaho
Best paying company	-	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between disposal operator and wastewater treatment operator education

There are a few differences between a disposal operator and a wastewater treatment operator in terms of educational background:

	Disposal Operator	Wastewater Treatment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common major	Business	Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Duke University

Disposal operator vs wastewater treatment operator demographics

Here are the differences between disposal operators' and wastewater treatment operators' demographics:

	Disposal Operator	Wastewater Treatment Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8%	Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between disposal operator and wastewater treatment operator duties and responsibilities

Disposal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Mobilize, and maintain specialize tools, equipment, supplies, and EOD publications.
Clean out disposal strainers and baskets on the pumps.
Conduct readings of H2o and H2s in daily processing of gas.
Conduct gas test, H2s, O2, LEL, benzene test and butadiene before issuing confine space permit.

Wastewater treatment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
Monitor plant and lift station performance by regularly checking SCADA system on computer.
Inspect facilities, equipment and plumbing for effects for corrosive, flammable and combustible gas.
Optimize internal controls and process to comply with new parameters set by EPA and JCA.
Review and remain current on OSHA standards and regulations for general industry and perform safety audits.
Utilize computers for SCADA monitoring, data input, work order tracking and other uses of technology.

Disposal operator vs wastewater treatment operator skills

Common disposal operator skills

DOT, 16%
EPA, 11%
Equipment Maintenance, 11%
Hazardous Materials, 10%
Salt Water Disposal, 10%
Safety Training, 7%

Common wastewater treatment operator skills

Plant Equipment, 5%
Process Control, 5%
Blowers, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Ladders, 4%
Plant Operations, 4%

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Disposal Operator
Disposal Operator vs Wastewater Treatment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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