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.