Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
SOC Code: 51-8031 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $81,266 | $97,656 | $114,026 | $130,416 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $76,606 | $93,496 | $110,365 | $127,254 |
| Napa, CA | $67,205 | $81,619 | $96,034 | $110,448 |
| Vallejo, CA | $69,472 | $82,971 | $96,491 | $109,990 |
| Salinas, CA | $59,946 | $74,360 | $88,754 | $103,168 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $65,229 | $77,251 | $89,274 | $101,296 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,813 | $76,794 | $88,795 | $100,776 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $61,485 | $74,235 | $86,965 | $99,715 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $59,488 | $72,779 | $86,070 | $99,362 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $59,114 | $72,530 | $85,946 | $99,362 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 4.0 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.1 | |
| Repairing | 3.1 | |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | |
| Speaking | 3.1 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Public Safety and Security | 4.2 |
| Mechanical | 3.6 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Chemistry | 3.4 |
| Education and Training | 3.4 |
| Administration and Management | 3.4 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.3 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 50.0% |
| Some college | 37.5% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 8.3% |
| Associate's degree | 4.2% |
Typical Tasks
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
- 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.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Compliance software Data logging software Database software Geographic information system GIS systems Human machine interface HMI software Material safety data sheet MSDS software Operating system software Operational Data Store ODS software Records management software Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
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