Career Profile

Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators

Education HS diploma or less
This is the typical education required for an entry-level position.
Earnings $47,500
This is the typical median salary earned for an entry-level position.

Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

General Information

Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators

Occupational Outlook

For the Rural Capital Area

48

Job Opportunities

Over the next five years, an average of 48 openings per year are projected for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators.

+9.5%

Employment Change

Employment for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators is forecasted to increase on par with the regional average by 9.5% between 2023 and 2028.

$22.83

Earnings Potential

An average worker in this occupation is paid $22.83/hour. Entry level workers are paid $17.96, while experienced workers are paid $26.53. The median wage is comparable to average regional wages across occupations.

Local Employment Opportunities

There are 380 Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators in the RCA region. By 2028 this number could reach 416.

Top 5 Employing Industries, Locally

The top industries employing Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators are Water, Sewage and Other Systems, Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support, and Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities.

Knowledge Areas

The top most significant knowledge categories for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators include Chemistry, Biology, and Mechanical.

Educational Attainment Patterns

The most common level of education for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System Operators is HS diploma or less. 17% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree.

Sources: BLS   JobsEQ®   ONET