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Sewage plant operator vs water plant operator

The differences between sewage plant 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 sewage plant operator and a water plant operator. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, which is higher than the $45,459 average annual salary of a sewage plant operator.

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

Sewage plant operator vs water plant operator overview

Sewage Plant OperatorWater Plant Operator
Yearly salary$45,459$45,853
Hourly rate$21.86$22.04
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs35,50539,348
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Sewage plant operator vs water plant operator salary

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

Sewage Plant OperatorWater Plant Operator
Average salary$45,459$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 sewage plant operator and water plant operator education

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

Sewage Plant OperatorWater Plant Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Sewage plant operator vs water plant operator demographics

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

Sewage Plant OperatorWater Plant Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 95.8% Female, 4.2%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 sewage plant operator and water plant operator duties and responsibilities

Sewage 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
  • Project s progress are communicated to all levels of the organization and Amgen sites stakeholders.

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.

Sewage plant operator vs water plant operator skills

Common sewage plant operator skills
  • Treatment Plant, 35%
  • Water Treatment, 30%
  • SCADA, 14%
  • Federal Agencies, 10%
  • Plant Equipment, 8%
  • Pump Stations, 2%
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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