Disposal operator vs water technician

The differences between disposal operators and water technicians 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 technician. Additionally, a disposal operator has an average salary of $41,101, which is higher than the $38,723 average annual salary of a water technician.

The top three skills for a disposal operator include DOT, EPA and equipment maintenance. The most important skills for a water technician are customer service, work ethic, and hand tools.

Disposal operator vs water technician overview

	Disposal Operator	Water Technician
Yearly salary	$41,101	$38,723
Hourly rate	$19.76	$18.62
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	33,072	34,702
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Disposal operator vs water technician salary

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

	Disposal Operator	Water Technician
Average salary	$41,101	$38,723
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $63,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Redmond, WA
Highest paying state	-	Idaho
Best paying company	-	Vishay
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between disposal operator and water technician education

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

	Disposal Operator	Water Technician
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Duke University

Disposal operator vs water technician demographics

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

	Disposal Operator	Water Technician
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8%	Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%
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, 7.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between disposal operator and water technician 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 technician example responsibilities.

Manage water usage plumbing repair electronics repair inventory control.
Water extraction, dry outs, roof tarps, board ups, mold clean up, demolition, fire clean up
mow, string trim, blow off.
Climb ladders, crawl, stoop, bend and work in confine spaces.
Use HEPA vac, antimicrobial, possibly sand, wipe studs and walls, and wear PPE.
Have HVAC an carpet cleaning experience.

Disposal operator vs water technician skills

Common disposal operator skills

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

Common water technician skills

Customer Service, 10%
Work Ethic, 7%
Hand Tools, 6%
Water Samples, 6%
Cleanliness, 5%
Plumbing, 5%