Is Water Supply A Good Career Path? (15 Jobs In Water Supply: Best-Paying + Entry-Level)

Yes, Water Supply is a good career path. Working in water supply offers a great number of benefits. It brings lucrative job options as well as the chance to give back to your community. Delivering clean water and helping to renew the world’s most essential resource can be an incredibly rewarding career.

Water and resource recovery careers can pay well at all levels of experience, including entry-level. However, there are a wide variety of careers within water supply to explore, all of which require different skill sets and training.

The 8 Best-Paying Jobs in Water Supply

Water supply jobs can vary greatly, but there are many highly specialized career fields for you to explore if you’re looking to land a lucrative job. These jobs require extensive qualifications to be able to work, as well as on-site experience. Check out some of the best-paying jobs in the water supply.

1. Water Resource Recovery (Wastewater Treatment) Operator

   Average Annual Salary: $45,000

   Those working in water resource recovery are individuals who work with a variety of water resource recovery facility equipment in order to ensure the facility operates smoothly and continuously. They may also be tasked with managing a team of lower-level operators and performing any related tasks as necessary on the job.

   Water resource recovery operators must be knowledgeable in resource recovery equipment and facilities as well as treatment principles, methods, and practices. These individuals should be well versed in first aid and safety procedures, as well as wastewater sampling and process control tests.

   Find Wastewater Treatment jobs near me

2. Drinking-Water Treatment Operator

   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Drinking water treatment operators do exactly what their title suggests — operate machinery for the treatment of water supply. They are typically responsible for supervising, operating, maintaining, and repairing the machinery and equipment used in the water treatment plant or pumping station.

   These individuals should have knowledge of water treatment plants, including safety regulations as well as water treatment and related equipment servicing. They may also be asked to have mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic knowledge as well as the ability to conduct standardized water quality tests.

3. Laboratory Technician

   Average Annual Salary: $37,000

   Laboratory technicians are individuals who are responsible for conducting quality tests to ensure water meets the standards it requires to protect public health. These scientists collect data that determine how well treatment processes are working and support toxicity testing.

   Laboratory technicians in water supply often focus on compliance testing, meaning they ensure all standards and regulations are met, as well as monitoring contaminants from the industry and helping inform company staff to make any necessary internal decisions to improve optimization or safety.

   Find Laboratory Technician jobs near me

4. Green Infrastructure Worker

   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   As the world shifts to greener energy, the water supply will too. Individuals working as green infrastructure workers are individuals who work with stormwater management practices that protect, restore, or mimic the natural water cycle. Responsibilities can include maintenance, caring for plantings, and ensuring everything works properly.

   Individuals looking to enter this line of work should be somewhat familiar with sustainable infrastructure. Green infrastructure workers can work as installers, maintainers, maintenance inspectors, or construction inspectors, depending on their skills and experience.

5. Engineer

   Average Annual Salary: $86,000

   In water supply, engineers are incredibly important. They design the processes that make water treatment and resource recovery possible. They are a critical part of supplying clean and safe water to the community. These individuals may work on a large or small scale and may work solo or with a larger team.

   Engineers’ responsibilities may vary depending on their jobs. They may estimate costs or develop certain specifications for building or prepare drawings and schematics. They may be tasked with designing large operations systems or even be required to do research on topics like environmental impact to aid their projects.

   Find Engineer jobs near me

6. Water Conservation Specialist

   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Water conservationists are responsible for conserving water supply for all users and future generations while identifying potential problems to the ecology or environmental health and mitigating them. Water conservation specialists can work anywhere there is a natural water supply, so their responsibilities may differ.

   Water supply is vital for national forests and parks, as well as farmland, swamps, and communities that rely on a water supply. Water conservationists may need to make sure there is no contamination in water supplies and ensure natural bodies of water are not abused.

7. Watershed Coordinator

   Average Annual Salary: $94,000

   Watershed coordinators typically work for municipalities as they focus on water systems in an area, specifically the production of clean water and treatment of wastewater. Their primary responsibility is to review the current water systems activities to ensure safe practices and manage the water treatment site.

   Watershed coordinators may also be responsible for planning and implementing any new projects or programs for water treatment and ensuring the area has access to clean and healthy water. They may work closely with agriculture or environmental engineers to support the development of safe water practices.

   Find Watershed Coordinator jobs near me

8. Water Tester

   Average Annual Salary: $59,000

   A water tester is an individual who works under the guidelines of EPA standards to test water quality at waste treatment plans and freshwater systems. This is an important component of protecting public health. Water tests ensure the elimination of any threat to public health that improper chemical testing in our water systems can cause.

   Water testers must take samples of water from a plant and test the quality using specialized skills and equipment. The ultimate goal of water testers is to read and test the levels of harmful materials and chemicals in the water supply through biological sampling and chemical testing.

   Find Water Tester jobs near me

7 Entry-Level Jobs in Water Supply

Water supply is an important part of how our society functions and requires a lot of different moving parts to ensure our drinking water is clean enough for us to consume. Water supply offers high-paying, high-skilled jobs, as well as entry-level and trade jobs that are just as important to how it all runs. Here are seven entry-level jobs in the water supply.

1. Wastewater Collection Operator

   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Wastewater collection operators are responsible for ensuring wastewater flows safely to facilities for treatment. They also are tasked with performing construction, repair, and maintenance of wastewater system facilities. They may need to operate power equipment and ensure public health by preventing sewage overflows and blockages.

   Wastewater collection operators must inspect, clean, maintain, construct, and repair the wastewater collection systems in which they work. This can include sanitary sewers, storm drains, pump stations, pipes, and more. A high school diploma is required for this role, but some experience may help your competitiveness.

2. Water Distribution Operator

   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Water distribution operators are responsible for monitoring and controlling water system facilities and equipment either through manual meals or using information technology to regulate water supply and treated water distribution, as well as power generation, water quality, and other tasks.

   Because there is extensive knowledge needed in this job, operator certification is required depending on the state you live in. Each state develops its own requirements for operator certification, but most offer an exam and require a high school diploma, as well as some on-the-job experience.

3. Electrician

   Average Annual Salary: $53,000

   Electricians are responsible for preserving and creating the machinery necessary to treat water and recover resources. They may work with the electrical or power systems involved in the water industry including wiring, installing, maintaining, and controlling electrical equipment.

   Electricians typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers may require applicants who have completed at least a two-year associate’s degree. However, apprenticeships are usually more than enough experience, combining on-the-job training with classroom study.

   Find Electrician jobs near me

4. Mechanic

   Average Annual Salary: $45,000

   Mechanics are individuals who specialize in a particular field, in this instance, water supply. They are responsible for working on the machinery that makes water supply possible, including installations, maintenance, and repair responsibilities to ensure operations continue to run smoothly.

   Mechanics working in the water supply may need to learn how to skillfully maintain, repair, and operate hydroelectric generation equipment as well as train other employees on how to safely use them. Additionally, they may be tasked with making cost estimates of labor and materials.

   Find Mechanic jobs near me

5. Pretreatment/Industrial Coordinator

   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Pretreatment/Industrial coordinators are responsible for overseeing the pretreatment program for a municipality. They may oversee one or more facilities, depending on how large the town is. To land this job, you must have a good understanding of federal requirements and regulations, wastewater treatment processes, and pre-treatment.

   Pretreatment/Industrial coordinators deal with compliance to regulations and help others by ensuring they are also following these regulations. Although a background in science or engineering may be preferred, sufficient training and relevant experience can compensate for not having a degree.

6. Utilities Manager

   Average Annual Salary: $74,000

   A utility manager is an individual who ensures the organization’s mission is met by driving innovation and effectively leading the staff to success. This means their primary responsibility is to guide employees toward the organization’s mission, strategic goals, and operational priorities.

   As a utility manager, you’ll need to have excellent communication skills to give employees clear standards for achievement, coaching, and development through regular feedback. They also must set goals and plans to meet current and future business objectives.

   Find Utilities Manager jobs near me

7. Water Quality Technician

   Average Annual Salary: $41,000

   Water quality technicians are individuals who ensure clean and safe water that communities need to live a healthy life. These individuals determine if the water we use and drink meets EPA standards by testing for microbes and chemical contaminants in drinking water and wastewater.

   Water quality technicians can work in a variety of different environments, including water treatment plans, laboratories, natural bodies of water, and more. Typically, this job requires individuals to follow certain protocols and report specific findings in order to keep the water supply safe for all.

   Find Water Quality Technician jobs near me

Why Choose a Career in Water Supply?

Only 0.3% of all water is attainable and usable for humans, and only about 1% of that is attainable. The management and distribution of water are paramount to our society’s success. But besides its importance, there are a number of benefits of working in the water supply.

• Tackling environmental challenges for a better future. As humans, we’re always looking for ways to improve our future. A career in water supply means you’ll gain access to the state-of-the-art technology to help communities solve problems, conserve, and reduce wasteful water use practices.

• Lucrative pay. Water and wastewater industry jobs are often well-paid and in high demand. With higher pay, the water supply attracts highly skilled individuals who can help tackle problems and discover new methods for clean and affordable water.

• High demand. Because water and wastewater are essential to our survival and well-being, there will always be jobs in demand for this market. Additionally, as technology advances and more data is available in the water supply, there will be more opportunities that arise.

Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Water Supply

Education and certification requirements will vary based on the variety of jobs in the water supply. It’s important to research the specific job you wish to hold to understand education and certification requirements in order to be successful in that field. Consider the following education and certification requirements.

• Entry-level jobs require a high school diploma or GED. For certain entry-level jobs, it’s required to at least get your foot in the door. Depending on how you want to climb in this career, many entry-level jobs offer on-the-job training so you can build your skills for your next move within the water supply.

• Consider a bachelor’s or associate’s degree for some careers. If you’re looking for a more specialized field like becoming an engineer or laboratory technician, you will be required to obtain a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.

• Local certifications are a requirement. In order to work with your local water supply, certain location-specific certifications are often required to ensure you understand the environment in which you work.

What Do People Working In Water Supply Do?

Those working in the water supply are all working towards a common goal — creating safe, clean, and accessible water for everyone in their community.

Water supply is an essential service for communities, and water supply employees must often help find solutions to problems such as the impacts of climate change, aging infrastructure, a retiring workforce, and more.

Working in water supply means you’ll be working with a global team to accelerate water innovation with new solutions and innovations, as well as new technologies. Working in this field ensures you will be a part of the positive changes that will come to our environment and drinking water.

Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.