Careers / Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$60,020
United States, 2025
Employment
128,490
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 2
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
- O*NET code
- 51-8031.00
- Job zone
- 2
- Experience required
- None
Typical 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$39,110
25th percentile
$48,040
75th percentile
$74,780
90th percentile
$91,060
Most important skills
- Operation and Control4.0
- Operations Monitoring3.9
- Monitoring3.6
- Repairing3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Equipment Maintenance3.1
- Troubleshooting3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 15 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
15
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Operation and Control | 4.0 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Repairing | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $125,160 | 1,040 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $108,190 | 460 | 2025 |
| Vallejo, CA | $106,150 | 200 | 2025 |
| Napa, CA | $101,540 | 100 | 2025 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $99,840 | 40 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $99,010 | 830 | 2025 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $94,060 | 80 | 2025 |
| Olympia, WA | $88,270 | 70 | 2025 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $87,840 | 40 | 2025 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $87,310 | 90 | 2025 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $85,960 | 250 | 2025 |
| Sacramento, CA | $85,950 | 1,010 | 2025 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $84,450 | 300 | 2025 |
| Portland, OR | $83,860 | 450 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $83,320 | 3,690 | 2025 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $83,190 | 200 | 2025 |
| Riverside, CA | $82,780 | 1,580 | 2025 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,460 | 2,230 | 2025 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $82,200 | 190 | 2025 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $81,810 | 170 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.