Back
CompareShare

51-8031.00

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

6.7OUT OF 10SAFEHIGH RISK
Moderate Risk

AI will significantly reshape this role

Safer than 63% of occupations we track

Frey & Osborne (2013) estimated 61% probability of automation for this role
paper →
63%
of jobs safer
382
jobs riskier than this
-6.5%
projected growth

Disruption Vector

Disruption Type

Physical Robots

Physical robotics, autonomous machines, and automated equipment are the main threat to the physical tasks in this occupation.

Water and wastewater treatment plant operators control treatment processes, monitor water quality, and perform regulatory sampling at municipal water facilities — a licensed operations role where SCADA AI systems (Xylem's AI water platform, Suez's InSight) are automating routine process adjustments and anomaly detection. Physical sampling, equipment maintenance, and emergency response still require human operators, and state licensing requirements mandate human oversight. Through 2027, AI will improve plant efficiency without displacing operators, as regulatory frameworks require licensed human control of public water systems.

Disrupted byBoston DynamicsAmazon RoboticsTesla Optimus

Salary & Job Outlook

Median Annual Pay
$58,260
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
10-Year Job Growth
-6.5%
Declining
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 3 / 5

AI Risk Timeline

6.7
7.5
8.2
9.7
Today
5 Years
10 Years
20 Years

Projection model: Based on current AI capability growth rates. High-risk occupations are projected to see compounding automation pressure, while human-centric roles show slower risk accumulation. These are statistical projections, not guarantees.

Skills Analysis — AI Vulnerability

AI can replicate (0)
AI-resistant (2)
Mixed
Active Listening75%
Speaking72%
Service Orientation70%
Coordination68%
Time Management65%

Career Pivot Paths

If you're a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, consider pivoting toward these lower-risk roles:

Share Your Results

amicooked-five.vercel.app

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

6.7
/ 10
Moderate Risk
67% automation risk

"You're not cooked yet, but someone's preheating the oven."

Share on X (Twitter)
WhatsAppLinkedIn

Tweet preview

I just checked if I'm cooked as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators 🤖 AI risk score: 6.7/10 — Moderate Risk "You're not cooked yet, but someone's preheating the oven." Check yours 👇 https://amicooked-five.vercel.app/results/51-8031.00 #AmICooked #AI #FutureOfWork

Your score badge

AM I COOKED?

WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND SYSTEM OPERATORS
6.7

/ 10

MODERATE RISK

amicooked-five.vercel.app

Screenshot this card to share on Instagram or TikTok 📸

You're safer than a Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel but riskier than a Environmental Engineers.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and is based on statistical models and academic research. It does not constitute career advice and is not a guarantee of future employment outcomes. AI impact varies significantly by employer, region, and individual circumstances. Learn about our methodology →