Water/Wastewater Engineers

These professionals focus on the design and oversight of projects that provide safe drinking water, manage wastewater, and prevent flood damage. On a daily basis, they perform hydraulic modeling, design pipelines, and prepare environmental documentation to ensure regulatory compliance. Their tasks require gathering information, analyzing data, and solving complex problems using computers. They must communicate regularly with supervisors, colleagues, and external stakeholders to organize and plan their projects.

Success in this field relies on strong skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and systems analysis. Engineers must apply knowledge of engineering, physics, chemistry, and design to build safe structures. This career appeals to individuals with realistic interests who enjoy practical, hands-on problem-solving. They must also stay updated on industry standards and use active listening and writing skills to manage administrative tasks and customer service needs.

Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree. Most professionals in this field major in civil engineering or construction engineering. Because this role requires considerable preparation, individuals usually need several years of related work experience in addition to their college degree.

While preparing for this career, candidates can pursue professional certifications to enhance their credentials. An example is the Water Lab Analyst Class I certification offered by Water Professionals International. Additionally, some states list specific licensing requirements for individuals performing this type of engineering work.

The median annual pay for these engineers is $100,840, though this figure represents the broader civil engineering occupational group. Within this group, the lowest 10% of earners make less than $68,240, while the highest 10% earn more than $163,220.

Employment is projected to grow by 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, along with normal turnover among the 367,840 people employed in the field, is expected to result in 22,700 job openings each year.