Also called: Reverse Osmosis Operator
Runs plants that turn seawater or salty groundwater into fresh drinking water.
You monitor high-pressure pumps pushing seawater through membranes, clean fouled filters, and keep salt out of the city's water.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma plus water operator license and training.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Water Quality Technology (2-year).
Growing faster than average. Growing in drought-prone states like California, Texas, and Florida.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Desalination plants are highly automated; membrane cleaning, repairs and licensed oversight stay human.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-8031.
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.