How to hire a wastewater engineer

How to hire a wastewater engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step wastewater engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a wastewater engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new wastewater engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your wastewater engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a wastewater engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A wastewater engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, wastewater engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of wastewater engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Wastewater Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Wastewater Engineer	Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.	$24-66
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62
   Staff Engineer	Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations... Show more	$33-80

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Treatment Facilities
   • Conveyance
   • Treatment Plant
   • Project Delivery
   • Contract Drawings
   • Construction Cost Estimates
   • Shop Drawings
   • Collection Systems
   • M Manuals
   • Hydraulic Analysis

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and manage comprehensive database of groundwater production assets.
   • Monitor potable pilot plant for chlorination/dechlorination technologies including ozone, UV, chlorine gas/liquid emulsions, and peroxide.
   • Develop system sequence and interlock definition documentation for support of operating procedures and DCS system development.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the wastewater engineer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A wastewater engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a wastewater engineer in Indiana may be lower than in Oregon, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level wastewater engineer. Additionally, a wastewater engineer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average wastewater engineer salary

   $84,524yearly

   $40.64 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level wastewater engineer salary

   $51,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average wastewater engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$107,844	$52
   2	Washington	$107,610	$52
   3	Massachusetts	$97,545	$47
   4	New Jersey	$94,587	$45
   5	Maryland	$93,837	$45
   6	Michigan	$92,595	$45
   7	Pennsylvania	$89,049	$43
   8	Florida	$81,904	$39
   9	Illinois	$81,729	$39
   10	Georgia	$80,424	$39
   11	Iowa	$79,986	$38
   12	Colorado	$78,728	$38
   13	North Carolina	$77,847	$37
   14	Wisconsin	$75,347	$36
   15	Minnesota	$74,435	$36
   16	Utah	$72,144	$35
   17	Indiana	$70,603	$34

   Average wastewater engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Oxford Solutions	$99,739	$47.95
   2	Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County	$93,319	$44.86
   3	GPAC	$92,502	$44.47
   4	Carollo Engineers	$91,266	$43.88	104
   5	Jacobs Engineering Group	$89,302	$42.93
   6	URS E&C Holdings Inc	$87,474	$42.05
   7	LVI Holding Corporation	$87,474	$42.05
   8	Jacobs Enterprises	$87,465	$42.05	169
   9	City of Sand Springs	$86,543	$41.61
   10	Iowa State Association of Counties	$85,873	$41.29
   11	First Solar	$85,162	$40.94	1
   12	HDR	$84,663	$40.70	87
   13	Stantec	$83,842	$40.31	443
   14	Hazen and Sawyer	$83,225	$40.01	79
   15	Wsp USA Buildings Inc.	$82,804	$39.81	260
   16	Gannett Fleming	$82,536	$39.68	40
   17	MSA Professional Services	$81,785	$39.32	12
   18	Civil & Environmental Consultants	$81,472	$39.17	45
   19	Cp&y, Inc.	$80,991	$38.94
   20	Weston & Sampson	$79,961	$38.44	26

4. Writing a wastewater engineer job description

   A wastewater engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a wastewater engineer job description:

   Wastewater engineer job description example

   What we are looking for
   
   SCS Engineers is looking for an entry-level industrial wastewater engineer for our Liquids Management Group, focusing on industrial wastewater and landfill leachate treatment design and construction. We will also offer opportunities to strengthen your technical, managerial and leadership skills through training and mentoring while working with a supportive, driven team.
   
   How you can make an impact as an Industrial Wastewater Engineer
   
   * Collect samples from hazardous and non-hazardous sites, including: soil, air, surface water, groundwater, and landfill gas.
   * Oversee drilling activities involving, monitoring and well installation, borehole logging, well development, and sampling.
   * Conduct and document construction quality assurance observations to ensure compliance with construction documents.
   * Complete quality control reviews on all work product (reports, design plans, design calculations, data, etc.) prior to submission.
   * Coordinate with contractors, subcontractors, and clients as directed.
   * Coordinate with CAD drafters for design plans/figures or uses AutoCAD for basic design plans/ figures.
   * Prepare permit applications and/or regulatory agency submittals and responses with supporting documentation as requested.
   * Prepare calculations for reports and in support of design documents as requested.
   
   Qualifications
   
   * Bachelors of Science degree in Civil, Environmental or Geotechnical Engineering obtained by June 2023 required.
   * Minimum of 3 months of relevant wastewater, solid waste, environmental and/or engineering internship, work and/or research experience required.
   * Engineer-in-Training (EIT) preferred.
   * Valid Driver's License with a driving record in good standing required.
   
   Whether it's treating landfill leachate and other wastewater, destroying methane emissions at treatment plants and landfills, repurposing contaminated properties, producing alternative energy, or sequestering greenhouse gases, we've been improving the natural environment and combatting climate change since our inception over 50 years ago. Join our 100% employee-owned firm and start creating your own legacy. As a growing firm, we offer excellent opportunities for career advancement and a competitive package, including:
   
   * Medical, dental, vision, 401K, and employer-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
   * Student Debt Employer Contribution Program
   * Paid holidays and PTO
   
   SCS Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). SCS provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran or disabled status.
   
   If you have questions, difficulty using our online system and/or you need an accommodation due to a disability then please contact us about your interest in employment at

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find wastewater engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any wastewater engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level wastewater engineers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your wastewater engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit wastewater engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit wastewater engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new wastewater engineer

   Once you've found the wastewater engineer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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