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The differences between utility operators and utility technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a utility operator, becoming a utility technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a utility operator has an average salary of $38,693, which is higher than the $37,073 average annual salary of a utility technician.
The top three skills for a utility operator include safety standards, safety procedures and hand tools. The most important skills for a utility technician are customer service, ladders, and safety procedures.
| Utility Operator | Utility Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,693 | $37,073 |
| Hourly rate | $18.60 | $17.82 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 67,565 | 121,895 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Utility Operators are skilled employees who work with different machines, fixtures, and equipment. They operate a number of machines related to the maintenance of office facilities. Such machines include wastewater filtration systems, manufacturing equipment, and cabling works, among others. They also manage water pipes, machine gauges, and electrical cables. Utility Operators manage the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of industrial machines. They should know how to check whether the machines or equipment are working properly. When equipped with the proper tools and knowledge, they may also conduct repairs on the different machines they handle.
A utility technician performs various duties and responsibilities for an organization. These include inspecting utility infrastructure and reporting any deficiencies, auditing utility services and ensuring current standards are complied with, and updating and maintaining the utility information database. As a utility technician, you are responsible for coordinating projects and communicating results of finished projects, performing preventive maintenance, and diagnosing and troubleshooting equipment and system malfunctions. You are also responsible for conducting training and mentoring new utility technicians.
Utility operators and utility technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Operator | Utility Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,693 | $37,073 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $27,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | Milwaukee, WI |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Dignity Health | Anheuser-Busch |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a utility operator and a utility technician in terms of educational background:
| Utility Operator | Utility Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | - |
Here are the differences between utility operators' and utility technicians' demographics:
| Utility Operator | Utility Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 2% |