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Disposal operator vs water treatment technician

The differences between disposal operators and water treatment 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 treatment technician. Additionally, a water treatment technician has an average salary of $44,399, 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 treatment technician are PPE, water samples, and waste water.

Disposal operator vs water treatment technician overview

Disposal OperatorWater Treatment Technician
Yearly salary$41,101$44,399
Hourly rate$19.76$21.35
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs33,07216,677
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Disposal operator vs water treatment technician salary

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

Disposal OperatorWater Treatment Technician
Average salary$41,101$44,399
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $63,000Between $29,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Portland, ME
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Vicor
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between disposal operator and water treatment technician education

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

Disposal OperatorWater Treatment Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteDuke University

Disposal operator vs water treatment technician demographics

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

Disposal OperatorWater Treatment Technician
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 85.2% Female, 14.8%Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between disposal operator and water treatment 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.
  • Show more

Water treatment technician example responsibilities.

  • Learned the chemistry behind HVAC water treatment.
  • Operate, maintain, and defend a water supply and treatment system under combat, and garrison conditions.
  • Operate heavy wheel combat vehicles in a variety of terrain and environmental conditions.
  • Monitor, maintain and improve the operations of the industrial laboratory associate with the in house electroplating operation.
  • Test raw water determining chemical dosages need of lime, iron, chlorine, ammonia and carbon.
  • Add chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
  • Show more

Disposal operator vs water treatment 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 treatment technician skills
  • PPE, 13%
  • Water Samples, 7%
  • Waste Water, 7%
  • Plumbing, 7%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Hazardous Waste, 5%

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