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The differences between water operators and operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a water operator, becoming an operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a water operator has an average salary of $43,748, which is higher than the $37,928 average annual salary of an operator.
The top three skills for a water operator include treatment facilities, water samples and CDL. The most important skills for an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Water Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $43,748 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $21.03 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 38,012 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A water operator usually works at water treatment plants and establishments where they are primarily in charge of processing water according to guidelines and health protocols. Their responsibilities usually revolve around monitoring equipment and procedures, gathering and analyzing water samples, performing necessary adjustments, reading and recording meters, and maintaining the cleanliness of facilities while adhering to the standards and regulations. Moreover, a water operator must maintain an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Water operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Water Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $43,748 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $58,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellevue, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Continental Resources | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a water operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Water Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Duke University | - |
Here are the differences between water operators' and operators' demographics:
| Water Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6% | Black or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |