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Senior system operator vs wastewater plant operator

The differences between senior system 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 a senior system operator and a wastewater plant operator. Additionally, a senior system operator has an average salary of $70,807, which is higher than the $45,658 average annual salary of a wastewater plant operator.

The top three skills for a senior system operator include NERC, transmission systems and hardware problems. The most important skills for a wastewater plant operator are minor maintenance, plant operations, and plant equipment.

Senior system operator vs wastewater plant operator overview

Senior System OperatorWastewater Plant Operator
Yearly salary$70,807$45,658
Hourly rate$34.04$21.95
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs40,73538,412
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 35%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Senior system operator vs wastewater plant operator salary

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

Senior System OperatorWastewater Plant Operator
Average salary$70,807$45,658
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $107,000Between $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 senior system operator and wastewater plant operator education

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

Senior System OperatorWastewater Plant Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteDuke University

Senior system operator vs wastewater plant operator demographics

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

Senior System OperatorWastewater Plant Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 78.4% Female, 21.6%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%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 Percentage5%5%

Differences between senior system operator and wastewater plant operator duties and responsibilities

Senior system operator example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and lead teams to be proficient in proprietary and commercial production and supply management software.
  • Manage trouble ticketing systems and escalations to ensure VoIP service availability.
  • Train on operating CISCO routers, switches, call managers, and LAN managers.
  • Provide technical support for the enrollment of Iraqi nationals, DoD personnel and military.
  • Operate full SCADA system, including pressure regulating valves, wells and pumping stations.
  • Relay security codes to node centers and respond promptly to trouble calls with a secret security clearance.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Senior system operator vs wastewater plant operator skills

Common senior system operator skills
  • NERC, 18%
  • Transmission Systems, 8%
  • Hardware Problems, 6%
  • Printers, 5%
  • Node, 4%
  • Troubleshoot, 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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