Water and wastewater engineers design and manage systems that treat and distribute water and handle waste. You'll solve complex problems, analyze data, and work with computers and teams. The role requires a bachelor's degree and strong technical skills.
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Water and wastewater engineers design, build, and maintain systems that supply clean water and treat wastewater for communities and industries. You'll make decisions about infrastructure, gather information from sites and stakeholders, and communicate findings to supervisors and peers. Your work involves analyzing data, evaluating whether designs meet safety and environmental standards, and using computer modeling tools. You'll draw on knowledge of engineering, design, mathematics, and building codes to solve real-world problems that affect public health and the environment.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Water/Wastewater Engineers earn a median of $100,840 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 23,600 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field. Your coursework will cover engineering and technology, design, mathematics, and building and construction. During your studies, you'll develop critical thinking, writing, and science skills through projects and labs. This is considerable preparation that typically takes four years. Consider internships or co-op programs to gain hands-on experience while you study, and connect with mentors in the field early.
Most water and wastewater engineers earn a bachelor's degree before entering the field. The path is straightforward but demanding, so if you're deciding whether this fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the water/wastewater engineer path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a concrete plan.
You do not need a license to work as a water/wastewater engineer, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to realistic work: solving tangible problems, working with systems and tools, and seeing the direct impact of your designs on infrastructure and communities.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).