Disposal operator vs water plant operator

The differences between disposal operators and water plant 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 water plant operator. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, 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 water plant operator are water treatment plant, plant equipment, and water samples.

Disposal operator vs water plant operator overview

	Disposal Operator	Water Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$41,101	$45,853
Hourly rate	$19.76	$22.04
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	33,072	39,348
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Disposal operator vs water plant operator salary

Disposal operators and water plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Disposal Operator	Water Plant Operator
Average salary	$41,101	$45,853
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $63,000	Between $32,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	-	Stockton, CA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Santa Clara Valley Water District
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between disposal operator and water plant operator education

There are a few differences between a disposal operator and a water plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Disposal Operator	Water Plant Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Disposal operator vs water plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between disposal operators' and water plant operators' demographics:

	Disposal Operator	Water Plant Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8%	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
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, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between disposal operator and water plant 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.

Water plant operator example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
Operate small rotating biological contractor plant that utilize activated sludge with sand filters and UV disinfection to process wastewater.

Disposal operator vs water plant operator skills

Common disposal operator skills

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

Common water plant operator skills

Water Treatment Plant, 10%
Plant Equipment, 6%
Water Samples, 6%
Lab Tests, 6%
SCADA, 6%
Water Quality, 5%

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Disposal Operator
Disposal Operator vs Water Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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