How to become a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator

Q: How do I become a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator?

The typical entry-level education is usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..

Q: How much does a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator make?

The median pay in the United States is $60,020 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025).

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

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.Typical entry-level education

$60,020Median pay a year

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators do

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.
Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.

Skills that matter most

Monitoring
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Mathematics
Writing
Active Learning

Is water and wastewater treatment plant and system operator a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 18% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

California $81,770
Washington $80,800
Connecticut $78,820
New Jersey $78,760
Minnesota $74,670

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.