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Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater treatment operator

The differences between wastewater treatment plant attendants and wastewater treatment 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 treatment operator. Additionally, a wastewater treatment plant attendant has an average salary of $46,529, which is higher than the $45,618 average annual salary of a wastewater treatment operator.

The top three skills for a wastewater treatment plant attendant include water treatment plant, and . The most important skills for a wastewater treatment operator are plant equipment, process control, and blowers.

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater treatment operator overview

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Treatment Operator
Yearly salary$46,529$45,618
Hourly rate$22.37$21.93
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs55,16432,561
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater treatment operator salary

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

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Treatment Operator
Average salary$46,529$45,618
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $64,000Between $32,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-Mercer Island, WA
Highest paying state-Idaho
Best paying company-Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between wastewater treatment plant attendant and wastewater treatment operator education

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

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Treatment Operator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyDuke University

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater treatment operator demographics

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

Wastewater Treatment Plant AttendantWastewater Treatment Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between wastewater treatment plant attendant and wastewater treatment 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 treatment operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
  • Monitor plant and lift station performance by regularly checking SCADA system on computer.
  • Inspect facilities, equipment and plumbing for effects for corrosive, flammable and combustible gas.
  • Optimize internal controls and process to comply with new parameters set by EPA and JCA.
  • Review and remain current on OSHA standards and regulations for general industry and perform safety audits.
  • Utilize computers for SCADA monitoring, data input, work order tracking and other uses of technology.
  • Show more

Wastewater treatment plant attendant vs wastewater treatment operator skills

Common wastewater treatment plant attendant skills
  • Water Treatment Plant, 100%
Common wastewater treatment operator skills
  • Plant Equipment, 5%
  • Process Control, 5%
  • Blowers, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 5%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • Plant Operations, 4%

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