Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between plant operators and water 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 plant operator and a water operator. Additionally, a water operator has an average salary of $43,748, which is higher than the $42,697 average annual salary of a plant operator.
The top three skills for a plant operator include plant equipment, plant operations and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a water operator are treatment facilities, water samples, and CDL.
| Plant Operator | Water Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $42,697 | $43,748 |
| Hourly rate | $20.53 | $21.03 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 43,388 | 38,012 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A plant operator's primary role is to supervise and oversee operations in an industrial setting. They are responsible for controlling machinery and equipment, coordinating with fellow officers, monitoring the quality of progress among a particular unit or department, and maintaining daily operations records. A plant operator may also respond to inquiries and issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and provide corrective measures. Furthermore, a plant operator must conduct regular inspection and maintenance to ensure a safe work environment for everyone, all while implementing the plant's safety policies and regulations.
A water operator usually works at water treatment plants and establishments where they are primarily in charge of processing water according to guidelines and health protocols. Their responsibilities usually revolve around monitoring equipment and procedures, gathering and analyzing water samples, performing necessary adjustments, reading and recording meters, and maintaining the cleanliness of facilities while adhering to the standards and regulations. Moreover, a water operator must maintain an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Plant operators and water operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plant Operator | Water Operator | |
| Average salary | $42,697 | $43,748 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $56,000 | Between $32,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Bellevue, WA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Washington |
| Best paying company | NW Natural | Continental Resources |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a plant operator and a water operator in terms of educational background:
| Plant Operator | Water Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Duke University |
Here are the differences between plant operators' and water operators' demographics:
| Plant Operator | Water Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% |
| Race ratio | 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, 2.5% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |