Headline risk
17%
Moderate RiskWater and wastewater treatment plant and system operators
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 58,260
Employment 2024
132.4K
Projected Change (2024–34)
-6.5%
Openings (2024–34)
10.7K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards. AI use: 0%
- 2. Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power. AI use: 0%
- 3. Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms. AI use: 0%
- 4. Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids. AI use: 0%
- 5. Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions. AI use: 0%
- 6. Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 41.6 · 118K employed
Under 25: 10% · 25–54: 69% · 55+: 21%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Most water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators are employed by local government. They typically work full time. Rotating shifts, including days, nights, and weekends, are common.
Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They also complete on-the-job training. A state license is usually required; however, entry-level workers often complete their licensing requirements during on-the-job training.
The median annual wage for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators was $58,260 in May 2024.
Employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.