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Water pumper vs wastewater plant operator

The differences between water pumpers 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 water pumper and a wastewater plant operator. Additionally, a water pumper has an average salary of $56,410, which is higher than the $45,658 average annual salary of a wastewater plant operator.

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

Water pumper vs wastewater plant operator overview

Water PumperWastewater Plant Operator
Yearly salary$56,410$45,658
Hourly rate$27.12$21.95
Growth rate-7%-7%
Number of jobs4,14638,412
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%Associate Degree, 35%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Water pumper vs wastewater plant operator salary

Water pumpers and wastewater plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Water PumperWastewater Plant Operator
Average salary$56,410$45,658
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $101,000Between $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 water pumper and wastewater plant operator education

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

Water PumperWastewater Plant Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteDuke University

Water pumper vs wastewater plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between water pumpers' and wastewater plant operators' demographics:

Water PumperWastewater Plant Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 89.4% Female, 10.6%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%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 water pumper and wastewater plant operator duties and responsibilities

Water pumper example responsibilities.

  • Manage water usage plumbing repair electronics repair inventory control.
  • Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.
  • Clean tanks and gravity filter beds including sedimentation clarifiers.
  • Measure acidity and alkalinity of clarifier overflow to determine efficiency of impurity recovery, using pH meter.

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

Water pumper vs wastewater plant operator skills

Common water pumper skills
  • Pump Stations, 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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