Water Treatment Operator
Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
SOC 51-8031
How Much Does a Water Treatment Operator Make?
The national median salary for a Water Treatment Operator is $52,290 per year ($25.14/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 20% below the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Water Treatment Operator
State operator license REQUIRED (progressive levels)
Water Treatment Operator Job Outlook
Faster than avg — the BLS projects 5% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's faster than the average across all occupations (4%).
About 11,900 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Infrastructure upgrades; clean water mandates; aging workforce
What It's Like to Work as a Water Treatment Operator
Expect a mix of desk work and some physical activity.
This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov