The median pay for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators is $60,020 a year ($28.86/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 5.7% through 2035, with about 10,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Commonly called: Water Treatment Operator
- SOC 51-8031
- Production
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $60,020a year, or $28.86/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $39KTop 10% $91K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.7%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 10,000131,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025131K
- Projected 2035123.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 131K Projected 2035 123.5K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school50%
- Certificate37.5%
- Some college8.3%
- Associate's4.2%
Highest education held by water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators Segment Value High school 50% Certificate 37.5% Some college 8.3% Associate's 4.2%
Also advertised as: Plant Operator, Process Operator (Process Op), Relief Operator, Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator), Wastewater Operator (WW Operator), Wastewater Technician (Wastewater Tech).
Pay
How much do water treatment operators make?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn a median of $60,020 a year ($28.86 an hour, or about $5,000 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $39,110 and the top 10% more than $91,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is California, with a median of $81,770. See Water treatment operator salary in California and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Francisco ($116,790 average): salary in every city.
Every water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$60,020
Middle half earn $48,040 to $74,780
- 10th
- $39,110
- 25th
- $48,040
- 75th
- $74,780
- 90th
- $91,060
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39,110 |
| 25th | $48,040 |
| Median | $60,020 |
| 75th | $74,780 |
| 90th | $91,060 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $60,020
- Median hourly wage
- $28.86/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $62,540
- People employed
- 128,490
Versus all US occupations
At $60,020, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn 18% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $9,040 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 25% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $91,060 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,110, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 32% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($81,770), but once local prices are taken into account Nevada leads at $81,457 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay water treatment operators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $81,770 | $73,853 | 11,630 |
| 2Nevada | $81,440 | $81,457 | N/A |
| 3Washington | $80,800 | $75,505 | 2,030 |
| 4Connecticut | $78,820 | $76,074 | 980 |
| 5New Jersey | $78,760 | $72,386 | 2,500 |
| 6Minnesota | $74,670 | $75,714 | 2,290 |
| 7Colorado | $74,200 | $72,002 | 2,620 |
| 8Oregon | $69,720 | $67,453 | 1,240 |
| 9Massachusetts | $68,550 | $64,818 | 2,510 |
| 10Illinois | $67,810 | $67,838 | 3,500 |
Job outlook
Is water treatment operator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | −5.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators to change -5.7% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 7,500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 10,000 openings are projected each year, 7.6% of the 131,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As water and wastewater treatment plants become more advanced with automated systems to manage treatment processes, fewer workers may be needed. Although some work can be automated, plants will still need skilled workers to operate increasingly complex controls and water and wastewater systems.
AI exposure: low
BLS places this occupation in its low relative AI exposure category, among the occupations least exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a water treatment operator
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They also complete on-the-job training. A state license is usually required; however, entry-level workers often complete their licensing requirements during on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)50%
- Post-Secondary Certificate37.5%
- Some College Courses8.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 50% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 37.5% |
| Some College Courses | 8.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a water treatment operator do?
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 and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of computerized systems, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- 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.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work full time. Plants operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Rotating shifts, including days, nights, and weekends, are common. Workers may need to be on call in case of emergencies.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals74%
- Utilities14%
- Manufacturing4%
- Waste management and remediation services2%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 74% |
| Utilities | 14% |
| Manufacturing | 4% |
| Waste management and remediation services | 2% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.6
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Mathematics2.9
- Writing2.8
- Active Learning2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control4.0
- Operations Monitoring3.9
- Equipment Maintenance3.1
- Troubleshooting3.1
- Repairing3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 4.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.1 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 |
| Repairing | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Compliance software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Document management software
- Geographic information system
- Industrial control software
- Time accounting software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a water treatment operator?
Women make up 8.3% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation.
21.2% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 41.6 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 8.3%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 41.6All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 21.2%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 118,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 8.3% | 47.1% |
| White | 86.8% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 6.3% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 19.1% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 21.2% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 10.2% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a water treatment operator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.8
- Conventional4.6
- Investigative2.5
- Enterprising1.6
- Social1.6
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator
O*NET related occupations
- Production
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- Production
- Production
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Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$51,610median a year
Most earn $36K to $80K
−5.7%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$60,020
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $60,020 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator appears on
Questions
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator: frequently asked questions
How much do water treatment operators make?
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn a median of $60,020 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 18% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $28.86/hr. The middle half earn between $48,040 and $74,780. The top 10% earn $91,060 or more.
How much do water treatment operators make an hour?
The median hourly wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is $28.86 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $60,020 annual median works out to about $5,000 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a water treatment operator?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn less than $39,110 a year and the bottom quarter less than $48,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do water treatment operators make $100k?
Rarely. Even the 90th percentile is $91,060, so fewer than 10% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn $100,000 or more (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No state's median reaches $100,000; the highest is California at $81,770.
Which states pay water treatment operators the most?
The highest state medians for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators are California ($81,770), Nevada ($81,440), Washington ($80,800) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Nevada moves to the top at $81,457.
What kind of water treatment operator earns the most?
BLS does not split water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $91,060, against a median of $60,020 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are California ($81,770), Nevada ($81,440), Washington ($80,800).
Do you need a degree to become a water treatment operator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a water treatment operator?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for water treatment operators is a high school diploma or equivalent. Once hired, BLS lists long-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is water treatment operator a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.7% over 2025–2035, a loss of 7,500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 10,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a water treatment operator do?
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of computerized systems, to transfer or treat water or wastewater. A core O*NET task: collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Do water treatment operators work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 33% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators usually work more than 40 hours a week, 67% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 57% say their schedule is regular and 44% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a water treatment operator?
O*NET scores Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of water treatment operators are women?
Women make up 8.3% of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation. 21.2% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 41.6 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.