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Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater plant operator

The differences between wastewater treatment plant attendants and wastewater 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 plant attendant and a wastewater plant operator. Additionally, a wastewater treatment plant attendant has an average salary of $46,529, which is higher than the $45,658 average annual salary of a wastewater plant operator.

The top three skills for a wastewater treatment plant attendant include water treatment plant, and . The most important skills for a wastewater plant operator are minor maintenance, plant operations, and plant equipment.

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater plant operator overview

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Plant Operator
Yearly salary$46,529$45,658
Hourly rate$22.37$21.95
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs55,16438,412
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 35%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater plant operator salary

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

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Plant Operator
Average salary$46,529$45,658
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $64,000Between $32,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-Redding, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Icma-rc
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between wastewater treatment plant attendant and wastewater plant operator education

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

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Plant Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyDuke University

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater plant operator demographics

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

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Plant Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
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, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between wastewater treatment plant attendant and wastewater plant 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.

Wastewater plant operator example responsibilities.

  • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
  • Monitor SCADA systems for plant operation.
  • Operate sewage sludge incinerators and belt filter presses.
  • Operate pumps and blowers as dictated by process needs.
  • Conduct laboratory tests of samples to ensure EPA safety parameters.
  • Complete daily composite sampling in accordance with regulatory compliance as established by the Ohio EPA.
  • Show more

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater plant operator skills

Common wastewater treatment plant attendant skills
  • Water Treatment Plant, 100%
Common wastewater plant operator skills
  • Minor Maintenance, 14%
  • Plant Operations, 7%
  • Plant Equipment, 7%
  • Routine Maintenance, 6%
  • Lab Tests, 5%
  • Mechanical Equipment, 5%

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