Also called: Drinking Water Operator
Runs the plant that turns river or well water into safe drinking water for a whole city.
You check filters and chemical feeds, take water samples every few hours, and adjust treatment when a storm makes the river muddy. Your work keeps thousands of people from getting sick.
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 state operator license; certificate programs help.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification, 2-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Water Quality Technology (2-year).
Shrinking (about -4% over 10 years). Many current operators are near retirement, so job openings are strong even though BLS projects slight declines.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Smart sensors and AI dosing control let plants run with smaller crews; licensed operators still must be on duty.
Classes: Chemistry, Biology, 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.