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The differences between water technicians and water 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 technician and a water plant operator. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, which is higher than the $38,723 average annual salary of a water technician.
The top three skills for a water technician include customer service, work ethic and hand tools. The most important skills for a water plant operator are water treatment plant, plant equipment, and water samples.
| Water Technician | Water Plant Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,723 | $45,853 |
| Hourly rate | $18.62 | $22.04 |
| Growth rate | -7% | -7% |
| Number of jobs | 34,702 | 39,348 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Typically working at water treatment facilities, a water technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment to ensure the good quality of water and consumers' safety. It is their duty to operate tools and equipment, gather and analyze samples to detect any contaminants, participate in adjusting chemical levels, and perform regular maintenance checks on machines to ensure efficiency. They must also keep records of all operations, producing progress reports as needed. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers for a smooth workflow.
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 technicians and water plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Water Technician | Water Plant Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,723 | $45,853 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $32,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Washington |
| Best paying company | Vishay | Santa Clara Valley Water District |
| Best paying industry | Government | Energy |
There are a few differences between a water technician and a water plant operator in terms of educational background:
| Water Technician | Water Plant Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Duke University | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Here are the differences between water technicians' and water plant operators' demographics:
| Water Technician | Water Plant Operator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |