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Water technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a water technician. Water technicians usually study business, general studies, or criminal justice. 42% of water technicians hold a high school diploma, and 22% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 3,898 real water technician resumes to see exactly what water technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for water technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain water technician certifications that you should consider. These water technician certifications include Certified Water Specialist (CWS) and Master Water Restorer (MWR).

What education do you need to become a water technician?

What degree do you need to be a water technician?

The most common degree for water technicians is high school diploma, with 42% of water technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 22% and bachelor's degree degree at 19%.
  • High School Diploma, 42%
  • Bachelor's, 22%
  • Associate, 19%
  • Diploma, 11%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a water technician?

You should major in business to become a water technician. 19% of water technicians major in business. Other common majors for a water technician include general studies and criminal justice.

Most common colleges for water technicians

Water technicians often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and Central State University. Here are the most common colleges for water technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Water technician common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix17.48%
DeVry University8.74%
Central State University6.80%
Ashford University5.83%
Texas State University4.85%

Best majors for water technicians

Best colleges for water technicians

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

A water technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for water technicians. 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 water technicians.

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 water technicians

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1. Sustainable Urban Water Systems

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The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...

2. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern

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What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...

3. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners

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4.7
(269)

Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...

4. Water Treatment Process Design

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4.4
(396)

design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...

5. Education on climate change: water and soil

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This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...

6. Our Earth: Its Climate, History, and Processes

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Develop a greater appreciation for how the air, water, land, and life formed and have interacted over the last 4.5 billion years...

7. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

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4.1
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The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...

8. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero

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4.5
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The Most Comprehensive and Detailed Course on Designing Off-grid, On-grid, and Solar Water Pumping Systems for Beginners...

9. Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles

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Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles is a four-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary changes that occur when air-breathing terrestrial animals return to water. This course examines the diversity, adaptations, convergence, and phylogenetic relationships of extinct marine reptiles. Students will explore three major groups of marine reptiles: ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs. Watch a preview of the course here:...

10. Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health

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In this specialization, you will explore how many public health outcomes are directly influenced by human contact with the environment. The four courses in this series will introduce you to the environmental health sciences (EHS) discipline; you'll examine the hazards of air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, radon, and noise; identify the major challenges posed by climate change and unsustainable practices; and use risk assessment to evaluate the health of population,...

11. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling

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4.5
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The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...

12. #3 ITA Course - Ancient Chinese Science & Art of Brewing Tea

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4.8
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ITA Certified Course-Revolutionary Water Techniques, 5 Elements, Ancient Chinese Medicine Secret and Art of Tea Ceremony...

13. Planning with Climate Change in Mind

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This course focuses on the climate impacts occurring and expected to occur across the United States. Our approach will be regional and sectoral, with consideration of impacts on water resources, transportation, energy, agriculture, forests, health, and coastal/marine resources. We will also look at how you can apply information about climate risks to motivate climate action in your household, in your community, or in your workplace...

14. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety

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Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...

15. BMS - Building management system

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BMS, building management system & building automation systems study , design and calculations...

16. Ace Your 103, Basic Coastal Cruising Written Sailing Exam

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Convenient way to accelerate your sailing knowledge, add to your seamanship, safety and improve your 103 exam score...

17. Become a Pharmacy Technician

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A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...

18. GREEN HYDROGEN: THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE

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A Fundamental course on Green hydrogen Production, Hydrogen Technology, Hydrogen Fuel, Hydrogen Energy, Hydrogen Fuel...

19. HVAC Fundamentals and BMS Controls

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Build your knowledge systematically, from the working principles of HVAC to optimizing a chiller plant operation...

20. Step-by-Step Learn Wonderware InTouch SCADA (PLC-SCADA-2)

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Complete practical Training on Wonderware In Touch SCADA With Industry Based Examples In Touch SCADA A-Z...

Top 10 most affordable universities for water technicians

The most affordable schools for water technicians 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 water technicians 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 water technicians.

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 water technicians

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

Some great schools for water technicians 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 water technicians 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

9%

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 water technicians

The easiest schools for water technicians 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 water technician 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 water technicians.

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 water technician salary by education level

Water technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $41,905 annually. With a Associate degree, water technicians earn a median annual income of $41,542 compared to $38,511 for water technicians with an High School Diploma degree.
Water technician education levelWater technician salary
High School Diploma or Less$38,511
Bachelor's Degree$41,905
Some College/ Associate Degree$41,542

Water technician education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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