There are currently an estimated 124,800 water treatment plant operators in the United States. The water treatment plant operator job market is expected to shrink by -6.3% between 2022 and 2032.

How employable are water treatment plant operators?

CareerExplorer rates water treatment plant operators with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will lose -2,700 water treatment plant operators. That number is based on the retirement of 5,200 existing water treatment plant operators.

What’s the supply of water treatment plant operators?

The water treatment plant operator industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Florida

Water Treatment Plant Operator job market by state

State Name Employed Water Treatment Plant Operators
California 11,330
Texas 10,630
Florida 5,790
Pennsylvania 5,330
Ohio 4,860
New York 4,450
Illinois 3,730
North Carolina 3,480
Georgia 3,400
South Carolina 3,230
Indiana 3,090
Minnesota 3,010
Virginia 2,950
Michigan 2,800
Tennessee 2,800
Washington 2,740
Kentucky 2,570
Arkansas 2,410
Missouri 2,290
New Jersey 2,220
Louisiana 2,190
Oklahoma 2,150
Wisconsin 2,140
Colorado 2,080
Arizona 2,010
Alabama 2,000
Iowa 1,950
Massachusetts 1,780
Maryland 1,570
Kansas 1,350
West Virginia 1,300
Utah 1,230
Oregon 1,160
Puerto Rico 1,150
Mississippi 1,100
Connecticut 1,060
New Mexico 1,040
Idaho 1,020
Nebraska 890
South Dakota 890
Alaska 640
Maine 590
Montana 540
Wyoming 490
Hawaii 460
Delaware 450
North Dakota 430
New Hampshire 390
Vermont 360
Rhode Island 340
Guam 90