Also called: Cross-Connection Control Specialist
Tests valves that stop dirty water from flowing backward into clean drinking water.
You visit businesses and sprinkler systems, hook up a test kit to their backflow device, and certify it's working. Many testers are plumbers or run their own small business.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 0 years after high school. Backflow tester certification course (about a week).
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Plumbing (trade school).
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Testing valves at buildings is hands-on, licensed work required by code; many testers run their own business.
Age 18+. One way to start: Take a backflow tester course and exam, then work for plumbing or fire sprinkler companies First: Backflow tester course (about a week) and exam; some states also need a plumbing license
Classes: Plumbing CTE class, Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-2152.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.