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Water/Wastewater Engineer

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What Does it Take to Be a Water/Wastewater Engineer?

Occupation Description Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.

Life As a Water/Wastewater Engineer

  • Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.
  • Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand.
  • Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
  • Write technical reports or publications related to water resources development or water use efficiency.
  • Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
  • Design water runoff collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.

Things a Water/Wastewater Engineer Should Know How to Do

These are the skills Water/Wastewater Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Types of Water/Wastewater Engineer

  • Floodplain Manager
  • Water Systems Engineer
  • Water/Wastewater Engineer
  • Water/Wastewater Project Manager
  • Wastewater Design Engineer

Job Opportunities for Water/Wastewater Engineers

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 53,800 jobs in the United States for Water/Wastewater Engineer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,500 new jobs for Water/Wastewater Engineer by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,000 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Water/Wastewater Engineer are Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Water/Wastewater Engineer Average Salary

The typical yearly salary for Water/Wastewater Engineers is somewhere between $53,180 and $137,090.

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Water/Wastewater Engineers who work in Alaska, Louisiana, or California, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Water/Wastewater Engineers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $82,020
Alaska $116,680
Arizona $80,330
Arkansas $89,540
California $105,480
Colorado $98,350
Connecticut $88,810
Delaware $84,480
District of Columbia $100,060
Florida $80,540
Georgia $79,700
Hawaii $91,270
Idaho $96,870
Illinois $92,200
Indiana $82,180
Iowa $79,210
Kansas $85,400
Kentucky $80,900
Louisiana $108,980
Maine $75,440
Maryland $102,650
Massachusetts $90,070
Michigan $93,770
Mississippi $72,400
Missouri $72,290
Montana $84,960
Nebraska $90,320
Nevada $92,810
New Hampshire $99,840
New Jersey $88,360
New Mexico $95,720
New York $90,470
North Carolina $82,110
North Dakota $76,770
Ohio $85,970
Oklahoma $79,590
Oregon $97,440
Pennsylvania $89,410
Rhode Island $91,940
South Carolina $76,970
South Dakota $99,760
Tennessee $93,620
Texas $102,660
Utah $76,530
Vermont $82,430
Virginia $86,330
Washington $99,750
West Virginia $69,800
Wisconsin $81,860
Wyoming $93,680

Tools & Technologies Used by Water/Wastewater Engineers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Water/Wastewater Engineers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Python
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Minitab
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Bentley Microstation
  • SAP software
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D

How do I Become a Water/Wastewater Engineer?

Learn what Water/Wastewater Engineer education requirements there are.

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What work experience do I need to become a Water/Wastewater Engineer?

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Where do Water/Wastewater Engineers Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Water/Wastewater Engineers employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alesia Goosic via Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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