Utility plant operative vs wastewater plant operator

The differences between utility plant operatives 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 utility plant operative and a wastewater plant operator. Additionally, a wastewater plant operator has an average salary of $45,658, which is higher than the $42,253 average annual salary of a utility plant operative.

The top three skills for a utility plant operative include plant equipment, auxiliary equipment and HVAC. The most important skills for a wastewater plant operator are minor maintenance, plant operations, and plant equipment.

Utility plant operative vs wastewater plant operator overview

	Utility Plant Operative	Wastewater Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$42,253	$45,658
Hourly rate	$20.31	$21.95
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	19,159	38,412
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 41%	Associate Degree, 35%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Utility plant operative vs wastewater plant operator salary

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

	Utility Plant Operative	Wastewater Plant Operator
Average salary	$42,253	$45,658
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $59,000	Between $32,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	Highland, CA	Redding, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Yale University	Icma-rc
Best paying industry	Energy	Utilities

Differences between utility plant operative and wastewater plant operator education

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

	Utility Plant Operative	Wastewater Plant Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 41%	Associate Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Utility plant operative vs wastewater plant operator demographics

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

	Utility Plant Operative	Wastewater Plant Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% 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 utility plant operative and wastewater plant operator duties and responsibilities

Utility plant operative example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Conduct work in an FDA regulate environment.
Enforce and comply with operational guidelines, OSHA and EPA regulations.
Maintain compliance with state regulators, cGMP, FDA and insurance company.
Last year of employment work include 20 hour each week doing plumbing work exclusively.
Perform some plumbing repairs, minor electrical work, some carpentry, plus general maintenance at plant and offices.

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.

Utility plant operative vs wastewater plant operator skills

Common utility plant operative skills

Plant Equipment, 9%
Auxiliary Equipment, 7%
HVAC, 7%
Plant Operations, 6%
Control Systems, 5%
Cooling Towers, 5%

Common wastewater plant operator skills

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

Utility Plant Operative vs. similar jobs

Utility Plant Operative related careers

Utility Plant Operative related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Utility Plant Operative
Utility Plant Operative vs Wastewater Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs