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The differences between wastewater plant operators and 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 wastewater plant operator and a plant operator. Additionally, a wastewater plant operator has an average salary of $45,658, which is higher than the $42,697 average annual salary of a plant operator.
The top three skills for a wastewater plant operator include minor maintenance, plant operations and plant equipment. The most important skills for a plant operator are plant equipment, plant operations, and preventative maintenance.
| Wastewater Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $45,658 | $42,697 |
| Hourly rate | $21.95 | $20.53 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 38,412 | 43,388 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Wastewater plant operators and plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wastewater Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average salary | $45,658 | $42,697 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $64,000 | Between $32,000 And $56,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redding, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Idaho |
| Best paying company | Icma-rc | NW Natural |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Finance |
There are a few differences between a wastewater plant operator and a plant operator in terms of educational background:
| Wastewater Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Business |
| Most common college | Duke University | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Here are the differences between wastewater plant operators' and plant operators' demographics:
| Wastewater Plant Operator | Plant Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |