Life As a Water/Wastewater Engineer
Water/Wastewater Engineer Job Description Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.
List of Water/Wastewater Engineer Job Duties
- Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies.
- Perform hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or water distribution networks to model flow characteristics, test for pressure losses, or to identify opportunities to mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency.
- Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.
- Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
- Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.
- Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.
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Water/Wastewater Engineer Required Skills
When polled, Water/Wastewater Engineers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Water/Wastewater Engineer Job Titles
- Dimensional Engineer
- Wastewater Project Manager
- Project Manager
- Engineer and Geologist
- Water/Wastewater Engineer
Job Opportunities for Water/Wastewater Engineers
There were about 53,800 jobs for Water/Wastewater Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,500 new jobs for Water/Wastewater Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Water/Wastewater Engineer are Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Water/Wastewater Engineer
The salary for Water/Wastewater Engineers ranges between about $53,180 and $137,090 a year.
Water/Wastewater Engineers who work in Alaska, Louisiana, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Water/Wastewater Engineers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $82,020 |
| Alaska | $116,680 |
| Arizona | $80,330 |
| Arkansas | $89,540 |
| California | $105,480 |
| Colorado | $98,350 |
| Connecticut | $88,810 |
| Delaware | $84,480 |
| District of Columbia | $100,060 |
| Florida | $80,540 |
| Georgia | $79,700 |
| Hawaii | $91,270 |
| Idaho | $96,870 |
| Illinois | $92,200 |
| Indiana | $82,180 |
| Iowa | $79,210 |
| Kansas | $85,400 |
| Kentucky | $80,900 |
| Louisiana | $108,980 |
| Maine | $75,440 |
| Maryland | $102,650 |
| Massachusetts | $90,070 |
| Michigan | $93,770 |
| Mississippi | $72,400 |
| Missouri | $72,290 |
| Montana | $84,960 |
| Nebraska | $90,320 |
| Nevada | $92,810 |
| New Hampshire | $99,840 |
| New Jersey | $88,360 |
| New Mexico | $95,720 |
| New York | $90,470 |
| North Carolina | $82,110 |
| North Dakota | $76,770 |
| Ohio | $85,970 |
| Oklahoma | $79,590 |
| Oregon | $97,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,410 |
| Rhode Island | $91,940 |
| South Carolina | $76,970 |
| South Dakota | $99,760 |
| Tennessee | $93,620 |
| Texas | $102,660 |
| Utah | $76,530 |
| Vermont | $82,430 |
| Virginia | $86,330 |
| Washington | $99,750 |
| West Virginia | $69,800 |
| Wisconsin | $81,860 |
| Wyoming | $93,680 |
What Tools do Water/Wastewater Engineers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Water/Wastewater Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Structured query language SQL
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Minitab
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Bentley Microstation
- SAP software
- Autodesk Revit
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Becoming a Water/Wastewater Engineer
Learn what Water/Wastewater Engineer education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Water/Wastewater Engineers Work?
Below are examples of industries where Water/Wastewater Engineers work:
References:
Image Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alesia Goosic via Public Domain
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