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Electric system operator vs water treatment operator

The differences between electric system operators and water 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 an electric system operator and a water treatment operator. Additionally, an electric system operator has an average salary of $63,571, which is higher than the $48,112 average annual salary of a water treatment operator.

The top three skills for an electric system operator include SCADA, NERC and substation equipment. The most important skills for a water treatment operator are water treatment plant, SCADA, and water samples.

Electric system operator vs water treatment operator overview

Electric System OperatorWater Treatment Operator
Yearly salary$63,571$48,112
Hourly rate$30.56$23.13
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs40,73332,838
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Electric system operator vs water treatment operator salary

Electric system operators and water treatment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electric System OperatorWater Treatment Operator
Average salary$63,571$48,112
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $163,000Between $35,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Jacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between electric system operator and water treatment operator education

There are a few differences between an electric system operator and a water treatment operator in terms of educational background:

Electric System OperatorWater Treatment Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityDuke University

Electric system operator vs water treatment operator demographics

Here are the differences between electric system operators' and water treatment operators' demographics:

Electric System OperatorWater Treatment Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 1.7% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between electric system operator and water treatment operator duties and responsibilities

Electric system operator example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and lead teams to be proficient in proprietary and commercial production and supply management software.
  • Complete annual NERC compliance training.
  • Help electrical maintenance department troubleshoot motors and other electrical devices.
  • Design and plan PowerPoint presentations for supervisors.

Water treatment operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage chemical transfers and plant feed, abiding by OSHA regulations.
  • Monitor ground water treatment facility through SCADA computer system and data collection and analysis.
  • Handle blowers, thickeners, SBR's, effluent and influent pumps, and sludge blanket judges.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair all instrumentation.
  • Complete necessary math equations and paperwork for plant records.
  • Inventory on PPE supplies, solvents, and chemicals.
  • Show more

Electric system operator vs water treatment operator skills

Common electric system operator skills
  • SCADA, 60%
  • NERC, 19%
  • Substation Equipment, 10%
  • Emergency Procedures, 6%
  • Electric Distribution System, 2%
  • PJM, 2%
Common water treatment operator skills
  • Water Treatment Plant, 8%
  • SCADA, 6%
  • Water Samples, 5%
  • Plant Equipment, 4%
  • Process Control, 4%
  • Water Quality, 4%

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