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.
- O*NET-SOC code
17-2051.02 - Preparation Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Wages
BLS doesn't publish wages for Water/Wastewater Engineers separately. These are the figures for Civil Engineers (17-2051), its parent occupation.
Median annual wage, U.S.$100,840
Employment, U.S.367,840
Median hourly wage$48.48
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $68,240 | $79,930 | $100,840 | $129,680 | $163,220 |
By state (51)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,370 | $99,010 | 1.07 |
| Alaska | 1,670 | $114,730 | 2.17 |
| Arizona | 5,940 | $89,660 | 0.77 |
| Arkansas | 1,870 | $85,020 | 0.60 |
| California | 55,180 | $122,500 | 1.28 |
| Colorado | 13,290 | $101,420 | 1.96 |
| Connecticut | 4,370 | $103,150 | 1.09 |
| Delaware | 920 | $100,220 | 0.80 |
| District of Columbia | 1,650 | $103,880 | 0.99 |
| Florida | 23,750 | $98,570 | 1.01 |
| Georgia | 9,400 | $84,240 | 0.81 |
| Hawaii | 2,640 | $94,280 | 1.78 |
| Idaho | 2,630 | $98,030 | 1.30 |
| Illinois | 13,910 | $99,760 | 0.96 |
| Indiana | 4,030 | $98,270 | 0.53 |
| Iowa | 2,500 | $96,430 | 0.68 |
| Kansas | 2,880 | $96,880 | 0.85 |
| Kentucky | 2,690 | $100,930 | 0.57 |
| Louisiana | 3,780 | $105,380 | 0.82 |
| Maine | 1,240 | $97,820 | 0.82 |
| Maryland | 5,240 | $100,680 | 0.80 |
| Massachusetts | 9,450 | $106,730 | 1.10 |
| Michigan | 7,760 | $92,100 | 0.74 |
| Minnesota | 4,710 | $101,480 | 0.68 |
| Mississippi | 1,770 | $100,170 | 0.64 |
| Missouri | 5,760 | $92,750 | 0.83 |
| Montana | 1,870 | $93,070 | 1.55 |
| Nebraska | 2,360 | $103,150 | 0.97 |
| Nevada | 3,560 | $104,310 | 0.97 |
| New Hampshire | 1,620 | $98,710 | 1.00 |
| New Jersey | 6,900 | $104,660 | 0.68 |
| New Mexico | 1,350 | $103,900 | 0.66 |
| New York | 17,500 | $103,760 | 0.76 |
| North Carolina | 12,810 | $100,730 | 1.10 |
| North Dakota | 1,380 | $98,190 | 1.35 |
| Ohio | 10,560 | $96,220 | 0.80 |
| Oklahoma | 2,180 | $98,760 | 0.54 |
| Oregon | 4,890 | $105,250 | 1.05 |
| Pennsylvania | 15,870 | $97,850 | 1.11 |
| Rhode Island | 1,270 | $99,300 | 1.07 |
| South Carolina | 7,180 | $101,600 | 1.32 |
| South Dakota | 1,440 | $98,700 | 1.33 |
| Tennessee | 5,790 | $95,910 | 0.75 |
| Texas | 34,870 | $96,860 | 1.05 |
| Utah | 5,670 | $96,830 | 1.38 |
| Vermont | 770 | $95,600 | 1.07 |
| Virginia | 11,350 | $97,120 | 1.17 |
| Washington | 12,590 | $110,000 | 1.50 |
| West Virginia | 1,300 | $86,930 | 0.78 |
| Wisconsin | 7,410 | $94,600 | 1.07 |
| Wyoming | 990 | $90,590 | 1.48 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Engineers | 4 | 0.976 |
| 2 | Water Resource Specialists | 4 | 0.973 |
| 3 | Civil Engineers | 4 | 0.970 |
| 4 | Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | 4 | 0.969 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 5 | 0.966 |
| 6 | Transportation Engineers | 4 | 0.966 |
| 7 | Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 4 | 0.964 |
| 8 | Wind Energy Engineers | 4 | 0.962 |
| 9 | Nuclear Engineers | 4 | 0.962 |
| 10 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 4 | 0.960 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Water/Wastewater Engineers, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineers | Science | 4.00 | 0.976 |
| Water Resource Specialists | Science | 3.25 | 0.973 |
| Civil Engineers | Science | 4.00 | 0.970 |
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | Science | 3.75 | 0.969 |
| Transportation Engineers | Science | 3.25 | 0.966 |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | Science | 4.62 | 0.964 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | Science | 3.75 | 0.962 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | Science | 4.00 | 0.960 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | Science | 3.88 | 0.957 |
| Agricultural Engineers | Science | 3.38 | 0.956 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Water/Wastewater Engineers, excluding software Water/Wastewater Engineers already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| The MathWorks MATLAB | 13 of 20 | 5.4x |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | 10 of 20 | 8.0x |
| PTC Creo Parametric | 9 of 20 | 9.7x |
| C++ | 12 of 20 | 5.0x |
| Finite element method FEM software | 6 of 20 | 25.2x |
| ANSYS simulation software | 6 of 20 | 23.1x |
| National Instruments LabVIEW | 9 of 20 | 6.7x |
| Dassault Systemes CATIA | 8 of 20 | 6.2x |
| Microsoft Visio | 11 of 20 | 3.4x |
| Microsoft Visual Basic | 9 of 20 | 4.3x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.75 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 3.88 | 4.50 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.62 | 4.00 |
| Science | Essential skill | 3.50 | not rated |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.25 | 4.00 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.88 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.75 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.62 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.62 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.25 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 3.38 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.75 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.75 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.50 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.25 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and Technology | 4.70 | 6.35 |
| Design | 4.48 | 6.17 |
| English Language | 4.23 | 4.61 |
| Mathematics | 4.22 | 5.13 |
| Building and Construction | 3.83 | 5.04 |
| Administration and Management | 3.57 | 4.48 |
| Physics | 3.52 | 4.70 |
| Mechanical | 3.52 | 4.35 |
| Chemistry | 3.45 | 4.65 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.43 | 4.00 |
| Law and Government | 3.26 | 3.91 |
| Biology | 3.23 | 4.52 |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.22 | 3.87 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.14 | 4.09 |
| Economics and Accounting | 3.00 | 3.30 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.96 | 3.48 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.91 | 3.30 |
| Education and Training | 2.68 | 3.48 |
| Administrative | 2.59 | 3.43 |
| Production and Processing | 2.35 | 2.43 |
| Geography | 2.22 | 3.04 |
| Transportation | 2.00 | 2.09 |
| Communications and Media | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Telecommunications | 1.87 | 1.38 |
| Psychology | 1.78 | 1.39 |
| Foreign Language | 1.39 | 0.78 |
| History and Archeology | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.27 | 0.73 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.17 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.09 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.04 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.04 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.00 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Deductive Reasoning | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Oral Expression | 4.00 | 4.75 |
| Written Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.62 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Written Expression | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Information Ordering | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.88 | 4.50 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.88 | 4.38 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Near Vision | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Number Facility | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Visualization | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Originality | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Far Vision | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Time Sharing | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Memorization | 2.38 | 2.88 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.12 | 2.38 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Depth Perception | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Finger Dexterity | 1.62 | 1.25 |
| Control Precision | 1.62 | 0.88 |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Trunk Strength | 1.38 | 0.50 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.12 | not rated |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 1.00 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Explosive Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Extent Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.00 | not rated |
| Manual Dexterity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Rate Control | 1.00 | not rated |
| Reaction Time | 1.00 | not rated |
| Response Orientation | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.00 | not rated |
| Stamina | 1.00 | not rated |
| Static Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Autodesk AutoCAD in demand
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D in demand
- Autodesk Revit in demand
- Bentley MicroStation in demand
- ESRI ArcGIS software in demand
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft PowerPoint in demand
- HEC-HMS in demand
- HEC-RAS in demand
- Bash hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Outlook hot
- Microsoft Project hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Mozilla Firefox hot
- Oracle Java hot
- Python hot
- SAP software hot
- Structured query language SQL hot
- Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite
- Bentley InRoads Suite
- Bentley SewerCAD
- Bentley StormCAD
- Bentley WaterCAD
- Business software applications
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- DHI MIKE URBAN
- EPA Storm Water Management Model SWMM
- ESRI software
All 50
- Eagle Point LANDCADD
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Google Chrome
- HEC-1
- HEC-GeoRAS
- Hydraulic modeling software
- HydroCAD Software Solutions HydroCAD Stormwater Modeling System
- KYPipe
- MWH Soft InfoSWMM
- MapInfo
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Minitab
- NIWA Tideda
- OpenRoads Designer
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Wallingford Software InfoSewer
- Wallingford Software InfoWorks WS
- Web browser software
- XP Software XPSWMM
Where it concentrates
BLS doesn't publish wages for Water/Wastewater Engineers separately. These are the figures for Civil Engineers (17-2051), its parent occupation.
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | 310 | 4.15 | $95,260 |
| Yuba City, CA | 460 | 3.84 | $119,990 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 2,000 | 3.65 | $103,010 |
| Helena, MT | 360 | 3.40 | $100,710 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 190 | 3.18 | $123,030 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 860 | 2.78 | $108,240 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | 240 | 2.76 | $111,080 |
| Anchorage, AK | 1,110 | 2.66 | $112,740 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 4,640 | 2.64 | $101,440 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 720 | 2.50 | $110,210 |