Also called: Chief Plant Operator, Water Treatment Superintendent
Runs a water or wastewater treatment plant: its operators, budget, equipment and the lab tests that prove the water is safe.
You start by reviewing overnight lab results and the operators' log. You meet a contractor about replacing old filters, plan the next budget, and answer state regulators. When a storm floods the plant, you are there all night.
Estimated; pay varies a lot by city size.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 2 years after high school. Highest-grade state operator license plus 10+ years of experience; many have a degree.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification, 2-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Water Quality Technology, Environmental Science.
Shrinking (about -4% over 10 years). Water treatment operators overall, though many supervisors are near retirement.
Low risk for 10 years. AI aids plant control and reporting; leading operators and owning compliance stays human.
Classes: Chemistry, Biology, Business CTE class.
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.