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The differences between wastewater treatment operators and water 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 treatment operator and a water plant operator. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, 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 water plant operator are water treatment plant, plant equipment, and water samples.
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Water Plant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $45,618 | $45,853 |
| Hourly rate | $21.93 | $22.04 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 32,561 | 39,348 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A wastewater treatment operator is responsible for overseeing the daily operations in water treatment plans, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their duties include coordinating with different staff, operating controls and systems, gathering water samples, maintaining the cleanliness of all areas and equipment, and monitoring the progress of all operations. They must also keep accurate records of data, reporting progress to managers or supervisors. Furthermore, as a wastewater treatment operator, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
Water Plant Operators are responsible for managing and monitoring the processes of a water treatment plant. Their duties include operating treatment plants and apparatus, cleaning screens and filters, adding chemicals, monitoring gas and water levels, taking reading as well as inspecting wastewater and water samples. They are responsible for interpreting sample analysis results, resolving technical faults from gathered data as well as organizing general maintenance and repair work. Water Plant Operators also assess chemical stock levels, hazardous conditions, and risks during their day to day work.
Wastewater treatment operators and water plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Water Plant Operator | |
| Average salary | $45,618 | $45,853 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $64,000 | Between $32,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mercer Island, WA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Washington |
| Best paying company | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a wastewater treatment operator and a water plant operator in terms of educational background:
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Water Plant Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| 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 water plant operators' demographics:
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | Water Plant Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |