How to hire a water plant operator

How to hire a water plant operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step water plant operator hiring guide:

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

What does a water plant operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The water plant operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A water plant operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, water plant operators 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.

   This list presents water plant operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Water Plant Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Water Plant Operator	Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.	$15-31
   Water Technician	Typically working at water treatment facilities, a water technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment to ensure the good quality of water and consumers' safety. It is their duty to operate tools and equipment, gather and analyze samples to detect any contaminants, participate in adjusting chemical levels, and perform regular maintenance checks on machines to ensure efficiency... Show more	$13-25
   Water Treatment Technician	Water treatment technicians work every day in observing agricultural plant functions, which includes obtaining the daily requirements and making suitable adjustments to satisfy those demands. They carefully implement process sampling to exactly gauge and keep track of levels... Show more	$13-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Water Treatment Plant
   • Plant Equipment
   • Water Samples
   • Lab Tests
   • SCADA
   • Water Quality
   • Plant Operations
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Process Control
   • Chlorine Residual
   • Water Treatment
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Water Flow
   • Water Treatment Facility

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
   • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
   • Operate small rotating biological contractor plant that utilize activated sludge with sand filters and UV disinfection to process wastewater.

   More water plant operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your water plant operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A water plant operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, water plant operators' average salary in oklahoma is 57% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level water plant operators earn 51% less than senior-level water plant operators.
   • Certifications. A water plant operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a water plant operator's salary.

   Average water plant operator salary

   $45,853yearly

   $22.04 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level water plant operator salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average water plant operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$76,807	$37
   2	North Dakota	$59,209	$28
   3	Nevada	$57,561	$28
   4	Colorado	$55,765	$27
   5	Connecticut	$55,122	$27
   6	Maryland	$53,875	$26
   7	Illinois	$52,790	$25
   8	Ohio	$51,764	$25
   9	Utah	$51,668	$25
   10	Iowa	$51,430	$25
   11	Arizona	$48,081	$23
   12	Virginia	$45,788	$22
   13	South Carolina	$41,274	$20
   14	Florida	$40,180	$19
   15	North Carolina	$39,833	$19
   16	Texas	$36,791	$18
   17	Oklahoma	$34,082	$16
   18	Georgia	$33,416	$16

   Average water plant operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Santa Clara Valley Water District	$75,287	$36.20
   2	1 8 3 Lanes	$58,899	$28.32
   3	County of Kauaʻi	$57,248	$27.52
   4	Reser's Fine Foods	$57,093	$27.45	6
   5	Fort Pierce Utilities Authority	$56,395	$27.11
   6	City of Reno	$54,567	$26.23
   7	Lakeland Electric	$52,952	$25.46
   8	NIKA	$49,155	$23.63
   9	The City of Margate	$47,890	$23.02
   10	Town of Davie, FL	$47,376	$22.78	4
   11	Minnesota Limited	$46,963	$22.58
   12	ENGIE North America	$46,859	$22.53	2
   13	City & County Of San Francisco - Police Department (sfpd)	$46,723	$22.46	8
   14	Alaka`ina Foundation Family Of Companies	$46,010	$22.12	1
   15	Chime	$45,496	$21.87	2
   16	City of Miramar	$45,459	$21.86	1
   17	City of Abilene Texas	$44,706	$21.49
   18	Collier County Library	$44,359	$21.33
   19	City of Odessa	$43,823	$21.07	3
   20	Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City	$43,262	$20.80	3

4. Writing a water plant operator job description

   A job description for a water plant operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a water plant operator job description:

   Water plant operator job description example

   Water Plant Operator Apprentice
   Salary: $16.20 - $18.22 Per Hour
   Position Type: Part Time/Full Time (depending on school status)
   Close Date: Until Filled
   General Description: The purpose of this class within the organization is to undergo on-the-job training to become qualified as an operator of a water treatment plant. This class works under close to general supervision according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks.
   
   Minimum Training and Experience: Enrolled in high school or graduation from high school or GED equivalent. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.
   
   Special Certifications and Licenses: Ability to obtain a state certification from SC LLR as an E-level water operator within one year of employment. Valid driver's license.
   
   Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of elementary principles of chemistry and general science; good observation; mechanical aptitude. Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety practices and procedures. Ability to obtain a state certification from SC LLR as an E-level water operator within one year of employment. Ability to learn principles and procedures relating to operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant. Ability to develop skill in the operation and maintenance of pumps, valves and related mechanical equipment. Ability to work in a wide variety of weather conditions and exposure to the elements. Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. Ability to maintain positive customer-focused relationships with co-workers, supervisors, agencies, the general public, and all other internal and external customers. Personally demonstrates appropriate customer service skills. Work is performed onsite. The incumbent must be present at work to perform the essential functions of this job.
   Essential Job Functions: Performs study and reading assignments, observes demonstrations and otherwise learns the techniques of operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant. Learns and assists in the operation and adjustment of pumps, valves, and related mechanical equipment. Learns and assists in the making of physical tests of water for color, odor, and taste. Learns and assists in the making of chemical tests of water for alkalinity and residual chlorine. Learns and assists in regulating and adjusting chlorinates and other chemical feeders, washing filters, settling basins and dewatering processes. Learns and assists in the preparation and maintenance of activity records and reports. Performs increasingly responsible duties as assigned in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant. Performs all other duties as assigned to meet organizational needs. This Notice is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties, knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the job. This is intended only to describe the general nature of the job. A more comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities and essential job functions is available on the job description. The City of Rock Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, political affiliation, disability, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), or age.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find water plant operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your water plant operator job on Zippia to find and recruit water plant operator 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 water plant operators, 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 water plant operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect water plant operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new water plant operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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How much does it cost to hire a water plant operator?