Water/Wastewater Engineers

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $100,840/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$68,240$163,220

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 23,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Critical ThinkingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionSystems EvaluationMathematicsActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSystems AnalysisSpeaking

Top knowledge areas

Engineering and TechnologyDesignEnglish LanguageMathematicsBuilding and ConstructionAdministration and ManagementMechanicalPhysics

Core tasks

• Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.

• Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.

• Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.

• Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.

• Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.

• Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.

• Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.

• Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Water/Wastewater Engineers?

The median pay for Water/Wastewater Engineers is $100,840 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Water/Wastewater Engineers?

Employment for Water/Wastewater Engineers is projected to change +5% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Water/Wastewater Engineers?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Water/Wastewater Engineers?

About 23,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.