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Industrial waste treatment technician vs water plant operator

The differences between industrial waste treatment technicians 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 an industrial waste treatment technician and a water plant operator. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, which is higher than the $45,177 average annual salary of an industrial waste treatment technician.

The top three skills for an industrial waste treatment technician include filter press, waste treatment system and . The most important skills for a water plant operator are water treatment plant, plant equipment, and water samples.

Industrial waste treatment technician vs water plant operator overview

Industrial Waste Treatment TechnicianWater Plant Operator
Yearly salary$45,177$45,853
Hourly rate$21.72$22.04
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs11,12539,348
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Industrial waste treatment technician vs water plant operator salary

Industrial waste treatment technicians and water plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Industrial Waste Treatment TechnicianWater Plant Operator
Average salary$45,177$45,853
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $63,000Between $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 industrial waste treatment technician and water plant operator education

There are a few differences between an industrial waste treatment technician and a water plant operator in terms of educational background:

Industrial Waste Treatment TechnicianWater Plant Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBiologyBusiness
Most common collegeDunwoody College of TechnologyRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Industrial waste treatment technician vs water plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between industrial waste treatment technicians' and water plant operators' demographics:

Industrial Waste Treatment TechnicianWater Plant Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 100.0% Female, 0.0%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 industrial waste treatment technician and water plant operator duties and responsibilities

Industrial waste treatment technician example responsibilities.

  • Monitor, maintain and improve the operations of the industrial laboratory associate with the in house electroplating operation.
  • Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly rounds and readings and RCRA inspections in storage areas to maintain compliance.

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.

Industrial waste treatment technician vs water plant operator skills

Common industrial waste treatment technician skills
  • Filter Press, 92%
  • Waste Treatment System, 8%
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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