Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians

Employment in this field is expected to decline by 4 percent through 2029, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The drop in jobs is due to water and wastewater treatment plants having more advanced, automated systems to manage treatment processes. Workers will still be needed, however, to operate and maintain the complex controls and systems. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic affected many industries, with businesses shut down and employees either working remotely or laid off from their jobs. Water and wastewater treatment operators and technicians, however, are essential workers, and thus have been allowed to work during the pandemic. In general, the number of job applicants in this field is low due to the unclean and physically demanding nature of the work. This relative lack of competition means that workers can enter the field with ease, providing they have adequate training and experience.

The growth in demand for wastewater treatment will be related to the overall growth of the nation's population and economy. New treatment plants will be built, and existing ones will be upgraded, requiring additional trained personnel to manage their operations. Water and wastewater treatment plant workers will also continue to be needed to ensure compliance with increased safety and environmental regulations. Other openings will arise when experienced workers retire or transfer to new occupations. The DOL says that "job prospects will be best for those with training or education in water or wastewater systems and good mechanical skills."

Workers in wastewater treatment plants are rarely laid off, even during a recession, because wastewater treatment is essential to public health and welfare. In the future more wastewater professionals will probably be employed by private companies that contract to manage treatment plants for local governments.