Water/Wastewater Engineers
Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.
Water/Wastewater Engineers design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. The role reports a median annual salary of $99,590 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $61,040 and $149,970 and is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.52 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Mathematics.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Physics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Law and Government
Frequently asked questions
What does Water/Wastewater Engineers do?
Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.
How much does Water/Wastewater Engineers earn?
The median annual salary for Water/Wastewater Engineers in the US is $99,590. The middle 80% of workers earn between $61,040 and $149,970 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $75,400 and $121,690.
What is the job outlook for Water/Wastewater Engineers?
The role is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 368,900 workers.
How do I become water/wastewater engineers?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Water/Wastewater Engineers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Mathematics, Judgment and Decision Making. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Water/Wastewater Engineers?
Our AI-durability model gives Water/Wastewater Engineers a score of 0.52 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Water/Wastewater Engineers has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.
Is Water/Wastewater Engineers right for you?
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