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The differences between water treatment operators and testers 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 treatment operator, becoming a tester takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a tester has an average salary of $65,202, which is higher than the $48,112 average annual salary of a water treatment operator.
The top three skills for a water treatment operator include water treatment plant, SCADA and water samples. The most important skills for a tester are java, test results, and web application.
| Water Treatment Operator | Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $48,112 | $65,202 |
| Hourly rate | $23.13 | $31.35 |
| Growth rate | -7% | - |
| Number of jobs | 32,838 | 52,595 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A water treatment operator oversees the daily operations at water treatment plants, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Among their responsibilities include operating machines and equipment, collecting and testing water samples, maintaining records of meter and gauge readings, and adding chemicals according to protocols. They must also keep the cleanliness of facilities, monitor the meters and gauges, and perform equipment adjustments when necessary. Moreover, a water treatment operator must adhere to safety policies and government regulations and conduct inspections to ensure compliance in other areas.
The role of technical testers is to test computer software for defects, bug errors, or any issues that may come across by an end-user. They mainly conduct product testing and prepare reports about any problems or recommendations for improvements. Other responsibilities include reviewing test plans, assessing and analyzing product specifications and requirements, and mapping out testing strategy. Technical testers also frame the test environments or support network management staff and system administrators. Qualifications for this position include knowledge of the database or structured query language, proficiency in Linux commands, and proficiency in defect tracking tools.
Water treatment operators and testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Water Treatment Operator | Tester | |
| Average salary | $48,112 | $65,202 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $65,000 | Between $42,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a water treatment operator and a tester in terms of educational background:
| Water Treatment Operator | Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Duke University | - |
Here are the differences between water treatment operators' and testers' demographics:
| Water Treatment Operator | Tester | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% | Male, 63.0% Female, 37.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 11% |