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The differences between wastewater treatment operators and distribution system 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 treatment operator and a distribution system operator. Additionally, a distribution system operator has an average salary of $58,785, which is higher than the $45,618 average annual salary of a wastewater treatment operator.
The top three skills for a wastewater treatment operator include plant equipment, process control and blowers. The most important skills for a distribution system operator are safety procedures, gauges, and minor maintenance.
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Distribution System Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $45,618 | $58,785 |
| Hourly rate | $21.93 | $28.26 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 32,561 | 51,063 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Wastewater treatment operators and distribution system operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Distribution System Operator | |
| Average salary | $45,618 | $58,785 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $64,000 | Between $24,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mercer Island, WA | New Bedford, MA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | Exelon |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a wastewater treatment operator and a distribution system operator in terms of educational background:
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Distribution System Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Associate Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Business |
| Most common college | Duke University | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Here are the differences between wastewater treatment operators' and distribution system operators' demographics:
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Distribution System Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |