Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System 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: Plant Operator, Process Operator (Process Op), Relief Operator, Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator), Wastewater Operator (WW Operator), Wastewater Technician (Wastewater Tech), Water Control Dispatcher, Water Plant Operator, Water Treatment Operator, Water Treatment Plant Operator, Basin Tender, Biosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech), Clarifying Plant Operator, Disposal Operator, Disposal Plant Operator, Drinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech), Filter Tender, Filterer, Filtration Operator, Filtration Plant Operator, Industrial Waste Treatment Technician (Industrial Waste Treatment Tech), Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operator, On-Site Wastewater Systems Technician (On-Site Wastewater Systems Tech), Purification Operator, SCADA Operator (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Operator), Sewage Plant Operator, Sewage Treatment Plant Operator, Sewer Operator, Treatment Plant Operator, Treatment Specialist, Utility Operator, Utility Worker, Waste Disposal Plant Operator, Waste Treatment Operator, Waste Water Operator, Waste Water Technician (Waste Water Tech), Wastewater Plant Operator, Wastewater Treatment Operator, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (WWTP Operator), Water Distribution Operator, Water Engineer, Water Filterer, Water Filtration Technician (Water Filtration Tech), Water Operator, Water Pump Operator, Water Pumper, Water Purifier Operator, Water Quality Technician (Water Quality Tech), Water Reclamation Systems Operator, Water Supply Technician (Water Supply Tech), Water System Operator, Water Technician (Water Tech), Water Treatment Specialist, Water Treatment Technician (Water Treatment Tech), Watershed Tender, Waterworks Employee, Waterworks Operator, Waterworks Pump Station Operator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Monitoring
Active Listening
Speaking
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Quality Control Analysis
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Coordination

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (50.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

48,040–74,780 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-8031.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance, and controls experience; explore senior technician, maintenance planning, or lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (50.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators