Water Treatment Plant Operator

Explore This Path

Ensure safe, clean water for communities by managing treatment processes.
Play a vital role in public health by maintaining water quality standards.
Use advanced technology to monitor and improve water treatment systems.

💰 Earn $63K-$99K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 -6% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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

Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Risky (Decreasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

10,300 Annually

Median Earnings

$79,130 in California

$54,890 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Speaking

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having support
Having freedom

Deep Dive

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years