Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Also called: Water 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.
Also called: Basin Tender, Biosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech), Clarifying Plant Operator, Disposal Operator, Disposal Plant Operator, Drinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech)
Median pay
$60,020
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,110 – $91,060
People employed
128,490
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Tight deadlines are common
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in every state →
What water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators do
- 01Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- 02Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- 03Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- 04Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- 05Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- 06Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators88% · +29%
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders84% · −3%
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers82% · +3%
- Wellhead Pumpers80% · +17%
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders77% · −14%
Change into water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders87% · $58,040
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers85% · $61,770
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners84% · $49,880
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators81% · $77,320
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers81% · $49,450
Majors that lead here
- Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.