Shigoto Zukan
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How to become water and wastewater treatment plant and system operatorseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

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

How to become water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

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)

Career path and how to earn more as water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

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.