Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: Job Description
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
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The Daily Work of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Do?
Typical responsibilities of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators include:
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
- Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
Skills and Knowledge
Top water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Other Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Basin Tender
- Biosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech)
- Clarifying Plant Operator
- Disposal Operator
- Disposal Plant Operator
- Drinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech)
- Filter Tender
- Filterer
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 614,799 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -4.4% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $48,896 |
| Hourly median | $23.51 |
| 10th percentile | $30,079 |
| 25th percentile | $39,488 |
| 75th percentile | $58,305 |
| 90th percentile | $67,713 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $82,100 |
| Nevada | $79,140 |
| Washington | $78,810 |
| Alaska | $76,910 |
| New Jersey | $75,200 |
| Connecticut | $74,450 |
| Minnesota | $70,470 |
| Colorado | $68,220 |
| New Hampshire | $66,240 |
| Hawaii | $65,800 |
| Massachusetts | $65,620 |
| Oregon | $64,500 |
| Illinois | $63,790 |
| New York | $63,140 |
| Wisconsin | $62,360 |
| Vermont | $61,530 |
| Arizona | $61,480 |
| Maine | $60,960 |
| Wyoming | $60,580 |
| Delaware | $59,960 |
| Montana | $59,960 |
| Iowa | $59,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,170 |
| Utah | $59,120 |
| Virginia | $58,920 |
| Maryland | $58,740 |
| Ohio | $58,720 |
| Florida | $58,630 |
| Michigan | $58,470 |
| North Dakota | $58,250 |
| Nebraska | $57,640 |
| Rhode Island | $57,060 |
| Indiana | $55,170 |
| South Dakota | $54,090 |
| Idaho | $53,250 |
| Missouri | $52,990 |
| Tennessee | $50,760 |
| North Carolina | $49,710 |
| South Carolina | $49,480 |
| Georgia | $49,370 |
| Alabama | $48,730 |
| Texas | $48,110 |
| Kansas | $47,950 |
| Kentucky | $47,700 |
| New Mexico | $46,680 |
| Mississippi | $44,970 |
| West Virginia | $43,960 |
| Guam | $43,600 |
| Oklahoma | $41,380 |
| Louisiana | $38,690 |
| Arkansas | $38,310 |
| Puerto Rico | $25,700 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Earnings for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $79,491 | 12.3% | 0.82 |
| New England | $65,556 | 4.3% | 1.02 |
| Middle Atlantic | $62,863 | 11.3% | 0.80 |
| Rocky Mountains | $61,673 | 5.2% | 1.46 |
| Great Lakes | $59,569 | 13.8% | 1.02 |
| Plains States | $57,721 | 9.0% | 1.46 |
| Southeast | $50,502 | 28.4% | 1.28 |
| Southwest | $49,431 | 14.8% | 1.40 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $123,390 | 1,160 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $106,440 | 400 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $101,670 | 190 |
| Napa, CA | CA | $99,450 | 90 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | AK | $91,010 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | CA | $90,610 | 140 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $88,440 | 730 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | CA | $85,790 | 90 |
Which Industries Hire Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
The bulk of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 16,180 | $57,820 |
| Manufacturing | 5,180 | $56,900 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3,740 | $55,320 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1,560 | $52,820 |
| Construction | 1,310 | $61,580 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 670 | $72,580 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 550 | $58,050 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 500 | $55,200 |
Below are examples of industries where water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work:
Software Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators reflects the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How to Become Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Geothermal Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Water/Wastewater Engineers (Supplemental)
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health (Supplemental)
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers (Supplemental)
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (Supplemental)
- Geothermal Technicians (Supplemental)
- Power Plant Operators (Primary-Short)
- Biomass Plant Technicians (Primary-Short)
Where to Study
Aspiring water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators often complete programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-8031.00 (Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators).
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