There are currently an estimated 119,200 water treatment plant operators in the United States. The water treatment plant operator job market is expected to shrink by -3.2% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are water treatment plant operators?
CareerExplorer rates water treatment plant operators with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 1,500 water treatment plant operators. That number is based on the retirement of 5,300 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 |
| South Dakota | 890 |
| Nebraska | 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 |