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Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs distribution system operator

The differences between wastewater treatment plant attendants 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 plant attendant and a distribution system operator. Additionally, a distribution system operator has an average salary of $58,785, which is higher than the $46,529 average annual salary of a wastewater treatment plant attendant.

The top three skills for a wastewater treatment plant attendant include water treatment plant, and . The most important skills for a distribution system operator are safety procedures, gauges, and minor maintenance.

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs distribution system operator overview

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantDistribution System Operator
Yearly salary$46,529$58,785
Hourly rate$22.37$28.26
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs55,16451,063
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 37%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs distribution system operator salary

Wastewater treatment plant attendants and distribution system operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantDistribution System Operator
Average salary$46,529$58,785
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $64,000Between $24,000 And $142,000
Highest paying City-New Bedford, MA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Exelon
Best paying industry--

Differences between wastewater treatment plant attendant and distribution system operator education

There are a few differences between a wastewater treatment plant attendant and a distribution system operator in terms of educational background:

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantDistribution System Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 37%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs distribution system operator demographics

Here are the differences between wastewater treatment plant attendants' and distribution system operators' demographics:

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantDistribution System Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 1.7% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%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 Percentage5%5%

Differences between wastewater treatment plant attendant and distribution system operator duties and responsibilities

Wastewater treatment plant attendant example responsibilities.

  • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
  • Measure oxygen levels in SBR and aeration tanks with dissolve oxygen meter.
  • Utilize a variety of piping plumbing equipment, maintain and operate electrical distribution systems and generator distribution stations.
  • Support third shift manufacturing initiatives with a team of 45 IUE skil tradesmen.

Distribution system operator example responsibilities.

  • Tabulate data and enter all events including problems into scanned PC database.
  • Train to perform IP functions and how to configure TCP/IP within the network.
  • Install, and operate natural gas, plumbing, water and wastewater treatment systems.
  • Preform real-time and before the fact studies to insure stability of the system and compliance to NERC standards.
  • Implement and develop supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and outage management systems, including AutoCAD and SCADA.
  • Operate and maintain all pneumatic, DDC and VAV heating and cooling systems.
  • Show more

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs distribution system operator skills

Common wastewater treatment plant attendant skills
  • Water Treatment Plant, 100%
Common distribution system operator skills
  • Safety Procedures, 16%
  • Gauges, 10%
  • Minor Maintenance, 9%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 8%
  • API, 5%
  • Storage Tanks, 5%

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