Outside operator vs wastewater plant operator

The differences between outside operators and wastewater 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 outside operator and a wastewater plant operator. Additionally, a wastewater plant operator has an average salary of $45,658, which is higher than the $40,793 average annual salary of an outside operator.

The top three skills for an outside operator include patrol, golf carts and cart barn. The most important skills for a wastewater plant operator are minor maintenance, plant operations, and plant equipment.

Outside operator vs wastewater plant operator overview

	Outside Operator	Wastewater Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$40,793	$45,658
Hourly rate	$19.61	$21.95
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	47,129	38,412
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 35%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Outside operator vs wastewater plant operator salary

Outside operators and wastewater plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Outside Operator	Wastewater Plant Operator
Average salary	$40,793	$45,658
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $55,000	Between $32,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	-	Redding, CA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Icma-rc
Best paying industry	-	Utilities

Differences between outside operator and wastewater plant operator education

There are a few differences between an outside operator and a wastewater plant operator in terms of educational background:

	Outside Operator	Wastewater Plant Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Duke University

Outside operator vs wastewater plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between outside operators' and wastewater plant operators' demographics:

	Outside Operator	Wastewater Plant Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between outside operator and wastewater plant operator duties and responsibilities

Outside operator example responsibilities.

Manage multiple large volume fermentation tanks simultaneously.
Used LOTO, permitting and procedures to ensure safe release of equipment.
Monitor process and equipment operating conditions through field gauges and DCS readings.
Perform facility wide LOTO on all equipment that work are to be perform on.
Load acrylamide, acrylic acid, and caustic onto trailers and railcars using industry standard PPE.
Monitor and adjust distillation variables such as: temperature, flow rate, pressure, and time.

Wastewater plant operator example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Monitor SCADA systems for plant operation.
Operate sewage sludge incinerators and belt filter presses.
Operate pumps and blowers as dictated by process needs.
Conduct laboratory tests of samples to ensure EPA safety parameters.
Complete daily composite sampling in accordance with regulatory compliance as established by the Ohio EPA.

Outside operator vs wastewater plant operator skills

Common outside operator skills

Patrol, 27%
Golf Carts, 10%
Cart Barn, 6%
Outside Operations, 5%
Golf Balls, 4%
Cart Fleet, 4%

Common wastewater plant operator skills

Minor Maintenance, 14%
Plant Operations, 7%
Plant Equipment, 7%
Routine Maintenance, 6%
Lab Tests, 5%
Mechanical Equipment, 5%

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Outside Operator
Outside Operator vs Wastewater Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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