Utility plant operative vs water jet operator

The differences between utility plant operatives and water jet 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 water jet operator. Additionally, a utility plant operative has an average salary of $42,253, which is higher than the $35,007 average annual salary of a water jet operator.

The top three skills for a utility plant operative include plant equipment, auxiliary equipment and HVAC. The most important skills for a water jet operator are cnc machines, calipers, and hand tools.

Utility plant operative vs water jet operator overview

	Utility Plant Operative	Water Jet Operator
Yearly salary	$42,253	$35,007
Hourly rate	$20.31	$16.83
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	19,159	53,663
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

Utility plant operative vs water jet operator salary

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

	Utility Plant Operative	Water Jet Operator
Average salary	$42,253	$35,007
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $59,000	Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Highland, CA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Yale University	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between utility plant operative and water jet operator education

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

	Utility Plant Operative	Water Jet Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Utility plant operative vs water jet operator demographics

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

	Utility Plant Operative	Water Jet Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%	Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between utility plant operative and water jet 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.

Water jet operator example responsibilities.

Used Omax machine to cut parts to fill orders, handle material, certify as a forklift operator.
Update and sign-off on job tickets at the conclusion of each job.Skills UsedDirect mail experience or knowledge of USPS regulations.
Perform preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of Omax machine.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Dye setting and machine set up.

Utility plant operative vs water jet 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 water jet operator skills

CNC Machines, 17%
Calipers, 15%
Hand Tools, 15%
Tape Measure, 11%
Cranes, 11%
General Maintenance, 6%

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Utility Plant Operative
Utility Plant Operative vs Water Jet Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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