Water plant operator vs utility plant operative

The differences between water plant operators and utility plant operatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a water plant operator and a utility plant operative. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, which is higher than the $42,253 average annual salary of a utility plant operative.

The top three skills for a water plant operator include water treatment plant, plant equipment and water samples. The most important skills for a utility plant operative are plant equipment, auxiliary equipment, and HVAC.

Water plant operator vs utility plant operative overview

	Water Plant Operator	Utility Plant Operative
Yearly salary	$45,853	$42,253
Hourly rate	$22.04	$20.31
Growth rate	-7%	-7%
Number of jobs	39,348	19,159
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Associate Degree, 41%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	12	12

What does a water plant operator do?

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.

What does a utility plant operative do?

A utility plant operator monitors, operates, repairs, and maintains utility equipment and systems. Utility plant operators work on the operation, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They operate and maintain a drainage and sewerage system as well as a neutralized acid waste system. The skills and knowledge they need include electronic control systems, underground cables, and the electrical generating system characteristics. Also, they are expected to know the basics of electrical practice.

Water plant operator vs utility plant operative salary

Water plant operators and utility plant operatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Water Plant Operator	Utility Plant Operative
Average salary	$45,853	$42,253
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $65,000	Between $29,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	Stockton, CA	Highland, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Santa Clara Valley Water District	Yale University
Best paying industry	Energy	Energy

Differences between water plant operator and utility plant operative education

There are a few differences between a water plant operator and a utility plant operative in terms of educational background:

	Water Plant Operator	Utility Plant Operative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Associate Degree, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Duke University

Water plant operator vs utility plant operative demographics

Here are the differences between water plant operators' and utility plant operatives' demographics:

	Water Plant Operator	Utility Plant Operative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between water plant operator and utility plant operative duties and responsibilities

Water plant operator example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
Operate small rotating biological contractor plant that utilize activated sludge with sand filters and UV disinfection to process wastewater.

Utility plant operative example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Conduct work in an FDA regulate environment.
Enforce and comply with operational guidelines, OSHA and EPA regulations.
Maintain compliance with state regulators, cGMP, FDA and insurance company.
Last year of employment work include 20 hour each week doing plumbing work exclusively.
Perform some plumbing repairs, minor electrical work, some carpentry, plus general maintenance at plant and offices.

Water plant operator vs utility plant operative skills

Common water plant operator skills

Water Treatment Plant, 10%
Plant Equipment, 6%
Water Samples, 6%
Lab Tests, 6%
SCADA, 6%
Water Quality, 5%

Common utility plant operative skills

Plant Equipment, 9%
Auxiliary Equipment, 7%
HVAC, 7%
Plant Operations, 6%
Control Systems, 5%
Cooling Towers, 5%

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Water Plant Operator vs Utility Plant Operative

Updated January 8, 2025

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