Summary Report for:
17-2051.02 - Water/Wastewater Engineers
Design or oversee projects involving provision of fresh 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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks
- Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.
- Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.
- Design sludge treatment plants.
- Design water distribution systems for potable and nonpotable water.
- Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.
- Design water run-off collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.
- Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities.
- Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.
- Analyze and recommend sludge treatment or disposal methods.
- Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges.
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Civil Engineers.
Employment data collected from Civil Engineers.
| Median wages (2008) | $35.87 hourly, $74,600 annual |
| Employment (2006) | 256,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) | 
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) | 114,000 additional employees |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data
and 2006-2016 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.