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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia

Want to work as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Virginia? Below are the key facts. Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

What do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Make in Virginia?

For a water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators working in Virginia, wages run about $58,920 per year (or roughly $28.33/hour).Pay can range from $38,480 at the 10th percentile to $79,180 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$38,480	$18.50
25th percentile	$46,800	$22.50
Median (50th)	$58,920	$28.33
75th percentile	$70,470	$33.88
90th percentile	$79,180	$38.07

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Virginia relative to the national average — is 1.02.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn a median of $48,896 per year ($23.51/hour), exceeding the Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 614,799 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators nationwide. In Virginia alone, around 3,390 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 2,110 water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.

Top Virginia Metros for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

The largest metro-area employers of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Virginia.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	650	$59,370
Richmond, VA	400	$58,920
Roanoke, VA	130	$47,640
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	110	$49,270
Lynchburg, VA	100	$50,000
Charlottesville, VA	90	$59,000
Winchester, VA-WV	80	$49,680
Harrisonburg, VA	70	$60,070
Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA	60	$52,280

Top States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Employment

The table below shows the states where the most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work.

State	Number Employed
California	11,260
Texas	10,340
Florida	7,560
Ohio	5,550
New York	5,270
Pennsylvania	5,190
Illinois	3,870
Arizona	3,470
North Carolina	3,420
Virginia	3,390
Indiana	3,300
Kentucky	3,150
Tennessee	3,090
Alabama	2,950
Georgia	2,880
South Carolina	2,800
Oklahoma	2,750
Michigan	2,720
Missouri	2,700
Massachusetts	2,480

Highest-Paying States for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

These states pay the most for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators.

State	Annual Median Salary
California	$82,100
Nevada	$79,140
Washington	$78,810
Alaska	$76,910
New Jersey	$75,200
Connecticut	$74,450
Minnesota	$70,470
Colorado	$68,220
New Hampshire	$66,240
Hawaii	$65,800

Skills

Top water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically:

• Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
• Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
• Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
• Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
• Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
• Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
• Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools.
• Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.

Work Activities

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Processing Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Environmental Control Technology

Related Careers

Related occupations to water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators include:

• Geothermal Production Managers
• Water/Wastewater Engineers
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
• Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
• Geothermal Technicians

Also Known As

Basin Tender, Biosolids Management Technician (Biosolids Management Tech), Clarifying Plant Operator, Disposal Operator, Disposal Plant Operator, Drinking Water Technician (Drinking Water Tech), Filter Tender, Filterer, Filtration Operator, Filtration Plant Operator, Industrial Waste Treatment Technician (Industrial Waste Treatment Tech), Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operator, On-Site Wastewater Systems Technician (On-Site Wastewater Systems Tech), Plant Operator, Process Operator (Process Op).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-8031.00