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The differences between water plant operators and water treatment technicians 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 water treatment technician. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, which is higher than the $44,399 average annual salary of a water treatment technician.
The top three skills for a water plant operator include water treatment plant, plant equipment and water samples. The most important skills for a water treatment technician are PPE, water samples, and waste water.
| Water Plant Operator | Water Treatment Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $45,853 | $44,399 |
| Hourly rate | $22.04 | $21.35 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 39,348 | 16,677 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
Water treatment technicians work every day in observing agricultural plant functions, which includes obtaining the daily requirements and making suitable adjustments to satisfy those demands. They carefully implement process sampling to exactly gauge and keep track of levels. Also, they perform strictly with adjoining farming operations to form sure land implementation of treated wastewater is manageable. Additionally, they work with the operating management within the establishment and assist with the maintenance of environmental compliance procedures. Other duties include assisting them in transcribing and implementing technical regulatory obligations.
Water plant operators and water treatment technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Water Plant Operator | Water Treatment Technician | |
| Average salary | $45,853 | $44,399 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $65,000 | Between $29,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stockton, CA | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Santa Clara Valley Water District | Vicor |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a water plant operator and a water treatment technician in terms of educational background:
| Water Plant Operator | Water Treatment Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Duke University |
Here are the differences between water plant operators' and water treatment technicians' demographics:
| Water Plant Operator | Water Treatment Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9% |
| 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, 7.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |