Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, WWTP Operators maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools. They inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
A typical day for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator will also include:
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
- 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.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, WWTP Operators also clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools. They may also maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
On a weekly to monthly basis, WWTP Operators direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities. They might also inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
In addition, they operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
To some WWTP Operators, it is also their responsibility to record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
72% said they were satisfied with their job and 87% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $29,730 to $37,830 per year or $14 to $18 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $79,620 | $38 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $62,890 | $30 |
| Median | $49,090 | $24 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $37,830 | $18 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $29,730 | $14 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $78300 | $37.65 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $78120 | $37.56 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $75130 | $36.12 |
| State Government | $62860 | $30.22 |
| Metal Ore Mining | $62430 | $30.02 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $62420 | $30.01 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $60980 | $29.32 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $60180 | $28.93 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $59550 | $28.63 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $59150 | $28.44 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant And System Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government | 89280 | $52050 | $25.02 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | 14900 | $50210 | $24.14 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 1880 | $56950 | $27.38 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 1120 | $44260 | $21.28 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 960 | $51480 | $24.75 |
| State Government | 830 | $62860 | $30.22 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 780 | $32390 | $15.57 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | 720 | $56510 | $27.17 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 700 | $57930 | $27.85 |
| Employment Services | 570 | $53450 | $25.70 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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