Waste water operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a waste water operator. Waste water operators usually study business, environmental science, or criminal justice. 36% of waste water operators hold a high school diploma, and 26% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 889 real waste water operator resumes to see exactly what waste water operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for waste water operators are the Fairmont State University and the Fairmont State University.

There are also many online waste water operator courses to help get the education required to be a waste water operator.

There are certain waste water operator certifications that you should consider. These waste water operator certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

What education do you need to become a waste water operator?

What degree do you need to be a waste water operator?

The most common degree for waste water operators is high school diploma, with 36% of waste water operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 26% and bachelor's degree degree at 23%.

High School Diploma, 36%

Bachelor's, 26%

Associate, 23%

Diploma, 9%

Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a waste water operator?

You should major in business to become a waste water operator. 12% of waste water operators major in business. Other common majors for a waste water operator include environmental science and criminal justice.

Business, 12%

Environmental Science, 9%

Criminal Justice, 9%

Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians, 8%

Other Majors, 62%

Most common colleges for waste water operators

Waste water operators often get their degrees at Fairmont State University, Abilene Christian University, and Ashford University. Here are the most common colleges for waste water operators in the US based on their resumes.

Waste water operator common college	Percentages
Fairmont State University	7.89%
Abilene Christian University	7.89%
Ashford University	7.89%
High Point University	5.26%
Vincennes University	5.26%

Show more common waste water operator colleges

Best majors for waste water operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	12.1%
2	Environmental Science	8.7%
3	Criminal Justice	8.7%
4	Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians	7.8%
5	General Studies	7.8%

Show more common waste water operator majors

Best colleges for waste water operators

The best colleges for waste water operators are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.

A waste water operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for waste water operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become waste water operators.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,092

Enrollment

3,583

3. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

4. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

5. Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,711

Enrollment

5,504

6. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Enrollment

1,350

7. Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$46,950

Enrollment

9,407

20 best online courses for waste water operators

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Top 10 most affordable universities for waste water operators

The most affordable schools for waste water operators are Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon, inter american university of puerto rico guayama, and inter american university of puerto rico san german.

If the best universities for waste water operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for waste water operators.

1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Guayama

Guayama, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,893

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

4. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

5. New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,120

Cost of attendance

13,997

6. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Cost of attendance

23,713

7. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,326

Cost of attendance

17,330

8. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,874

Cost of attendance

26,736

9. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,389

Cost of attendance

22,302

10. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

In-state tuition

$7,412

Cost of attendance

19,400

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for waste water operators

The hardest universities for waste water operators to get into are University of Tulsa, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Duke University.

Some great schools for waste water operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for waste water operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

2. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

4. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,214

5. Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,366

6. Creighton University

Omaha, NE • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,276

7. Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

33%

SAT average

1,353

8. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

61%

SAT average

1,227

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,269

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,336

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for waste water operators

The easiest schools for waste water operators to get into are Saint Joseph's University, grand valley state university, and suny college of technology at canton.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a waste water operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for waste water operators.

1. Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,214

2. Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,158

3. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

997

4. Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, MA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,078

5. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

6. Kent State University

Kent, OH • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

7. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

8. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

9. Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg

Middletown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,177

10. Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,162

Average waste water operator salary by education level

Waste water operators with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $46,766 annually. With a Associate degree, waste water operators earn a median annual income of $46,390 compared to $43,250 for waste water operators with an High School Diploma degree.

Waste water operator education level	Waste water operator salary
High School Diploma or Less	$43,250
Bachelor's Degree	$46,766
Some College/ Associate Degree	$46,390

Waste water operator education FAQs

What is the best college for Waste Water Operators?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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