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Gas system operator vs water plant operator

The differences between gas system 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 gas system operator and a water plant operator. Additionally, a gas system operator has an average salary of $60,029, which is higher than the $45,853 average annual salary of a water plant operator.

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

Gas system operator vs water plant operator overview

Gas System OperatorWater Plant Operator
Yearly salary$60,029$45,853
Hourly rate$28.86$22.04
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs41,58039,348
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Gas system operator vs water plant operator salary

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

Gas System OperatorWater Plant Operator
Average salary$60,029$45,853
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $126,000Between $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 gas system operator and water plant operator education

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

Gas System OperatorWater Plant Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Gas system operator vs water plant operator demographics

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

Gas System OperatorWater Plant Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 94.7% Female, 5.3%Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between gas system operator and water plant operator duties and responsibilities

Gas system operator example responsibilities.

  • Monitor gauges and ensure that safety practices and regulations are strictly enforce.
  • Operate and maintain all pneumatic, DDC and VAV heating and cooling systems.

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.

Gas system operator vs water plant operator skills

Common gas system operator skills
  • SCADA, 100%
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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