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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Montana

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Montana

Want to work as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Montana? Below are the key facts. Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

What do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Make in Montana?

For water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators working in Montana, wages run about $59,960 per year (or about $28.83/hour).Pay can range from $43,870 at the 10th percentile to $78,860 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $43,870 $21.09
25th percentile $48,630 $23.38
Median (50th) $59,960 $28.83
75th percentile $65,590 $31.54
90th percentile $78,860 $37.91
Salary ranges for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Montana

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Montana nationwide is 1.64, meaning that water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn a median of $48,896 per year ($23.51/hour), above the Montana median.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earnings in Montana vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 614,799 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in the U.S.. In Montana alone, approximately 690 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 2,110 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Montana vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Top Montana Metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

The metro areas below employ the most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Montana.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Billings, MT 70 $58,630
Bozeman, MT 60 $65,590
Missoula, MT 50 $64,460
Great Falls, MT 40 $61,460
Helena, MT 40 $57,770

Top States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Employment

These states have the highest employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work.

State Number Employed
California 11,260
Texas 10,340
Florida 7,560
Ohio 5,550
New York 5,270
Pennsylvania 5,190
Illinois 3,870
Arizona 3,470
North Carolina 3,420
Virginia 3,390
Indiana 3,300
Kentucky 3,150
Tennessee 3,090
Alabama 2,950
Georgia 2,880
South Carolina 2,800
Oklahoma 2,750
Michigan 2,720
Missouri 2,700
Massachusetts 2,480

Highest-Paying States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

The highest-paying states for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.

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

Skills

The most important water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Operation and Control  4.0 / 5
0
5
Operations Monitoring  3.9 / 5
0
5
Monitoring  3.6 / 5
0
5
Repairing  3.1 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.1 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.1 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Public Safety and Security  4.2 / 5
0
5
Mechanical  3.6 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.5 / 5
0
5
Chemistry  3.4 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.4 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  3.8 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  3.8 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  3.6 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.5 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  3.5 / 5
0
5
Information Ordering  3.1 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators typically:

  • 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.

Work Activities

  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Processing Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Getting Information
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Environmental Control Technology

Related occupations to water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators include:

Also Known As

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, Filtration Operator, Filtration Plant Operator, Industrial Waste Treatment Technician (Industrial Waste Treatment Tech), Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operator, On-Site Wastewater Systems Technician (On-Site Wastewater Systems Tech), Plant Operator, Process Operator (Process Op).

References

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