Shigoto Zukan
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Will AI replace water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators?AI replacement risk 54% and how the work is changing

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$60,020
25th–75th pct. $48,040–$74,780
Top pay (est.)
$118,400
Top 10% $91,060
Pay in 5 years
$67,600est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$76,000est.
$65,400–$88,300
Outlook score
33/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
54%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
−5.7%
10K openings / yr

Will AI replace Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators? AI replacement risk

54%
Moderate
Ranked #573 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Key skills

Operations Monitoring
4.1
Monitoring
3.6
Operation and Control
3.4
Quality Control Analysis
3.1
Equipment Maintenance
3.1
Complex Problem Solving
3.0
Troubleshooting
3.0
Coordination
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical
4.7
Chemistry
4.4
Public Safety and Security
4.3
Mathematics
4.3
Customer and Personal Service
4.2
Education and Training
4.2
Computers and Electronics
4.0
Administration and Management
3.9

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsHandling and Moving ObjectsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProcessing InformationControlling Machines and Processes

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityNear VisionWritten ComprehensionVisual Color Discrimination

Education of workers

High school diploma
50%
Post-secondary certificate
38%
Some college
8%
Associate's degree
4%

Training before entry

6–12 months
21%
1–2 years
17%
None / short demo
12%
2–4 years
12%
4–10 years
12%
3–6 months
12%
Up to 1 month
8%
1–3 months
4%

Related work experience

None
33%
1–2 years
21%
6–12 months
17%
2–4 years
12%
4–6 years
8%
Up to 1 month
4%
8–10 years
4%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.