As of June 2026, Water/Wastewater Engineers has an AI-exposure score of 58/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Water/Wastewater Engineers
More exposed than 57% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$100,840. About 23,600 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Architecture & Engineering roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (65%).
- Evaluate the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency.
- Perform hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or water distribution networks to model flow characteristics, test for pressure losses, or to identify opportunities to mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency.
- Conduct cost-benefit analyses for the construction of water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
- Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use.
- Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency programs.
- Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources.
- Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
- Perform hydrological analyses, using three-dimensional simulation software, to model the movement of water or forecast the dispersion of chemical pollutants in the water supply.
- Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges.
- Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment systems, including reclaimed water facilities.
- Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies.
- Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
- Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources.
- Design water distribution systems for potable or non-potable water.
- Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater.
- Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards.
- Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells.
- Design water runoff collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks.
- 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.
- Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
Safer adjacent roles
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Water/Wastewater Engineers — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)
Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$100,840. More states are being added.