SOC 51-8031.00 · Hydropower

Water Treatment Plant Operator (Hydro): $54,460 Median Pay

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

Median Annual Wage

$54,460
BLS OES national median for SOC 51-8031.00.

O*NET Job Zone

3 / 5
High school / on-the-job training

Sector

Hydropower
20 alternate job titles · 10 related occupations

1. What They Actually Do

Complete task inventory from O*NET (8 tasks).

  1. Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids. (Core)
  2. Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards. (Core)
  3. Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms. (Core)
  4. Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power. (Core)
  5. Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions. (Core)
  6. Maintain, repair, and lubricate equipment, using hand tools and power tools. (Core)
  7. Clean and maintain tanks, filter beds, and other work areas, using hand tools and power tools. (Core)
  8. Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities. (Core)

2. Required Competencies

2.1 Skills

Operations Monitoring3.88
Operation and Control3.75
Monitoring3.62
Quality Control Analysis3.38
Active Listening3.38
Repairing3.25
Troubleshooting3.25
Equipment Maintenance3.25
Critical Thinking3.25
Speaking3.25

2.2 Knowledge

Chemistry3.98
Biology3.90
Mechanical3.89
Mathematics3.62
Public Safety and Security3.48
Production and Processing3.46
Engineering and Technology3.42
Administration and Management3.33
Computers and Electronics3.23
Education and Training3.13

2.3 Abilities

Oral Expression3.75
Oral Comprehension3.75
Near Vision3.62
Written Comprehension3.62
Deductive Reasoning3.50
Perceptual Speed3.38
Problem Sensitivity3.38
Inductive Reasoning3.25
Speech Clarity3.12
Speech Recognition3.12

2.4 Work Styles

Integrity4.15
Dependability4.11
Attention to Detail4.00
Independence3.96
Initiative3.76
Concern for Others3.75
Leadership3.69
Cooperation3.68
Adaptability/Flexibility3.64
Self-Control3.49

3. Day-to-Day Work

3.1 Generalized Work Activities

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards4.48
Controlling Machines and Processes4.38
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.29
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.26
Processing Information4.26
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.15
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials4.14
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.13
Documenting/Recording Information4.12
Getting Information4.03

3.2 Work Context (5-point scale)

Face-to-Face Discussions4.72
Structured versus Unstructured Work4.62
Telephone4.55
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets4.54
Exposed to Contaminants4.50
Freedom to Make Decisions4.46
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions4.44
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.32
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.31
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable4.29

4. Education, Training & Experience

Related Work Experience (Years)

Related Work Experience32.4%
Related Work Experience26.4%
Related Work Experience20.7%
Related Work Experience11.5%
Related Work Experience5.1%
Related Work Experience2.1%

PT

On-Site or In-Plant Training23.6%
On-Site or In-Plant Training22.7%
On-Site or In-Plant Training22.1%
On-Site or In-Plant Training12.1%
On-Site or In-Plant Training10.1%
On-Site or In-Plant Training6.8%

Required Level of Education

Required Level of Education41.8%
Required Level of Education24.5%
Required Level of Education20.7%
Required Level of Education12.5%
Required Level of Education0.5%
Required Level of Education0.0%

OJ

On-the-Job Training27.5%
On-the-Job Training22.9%
On-the-Job Training20.6%
On-the-Job Training13.3%
On-the-Job Training10.1%
On-the-Job Training5.5%

IM

Job-Related Professional Certification3.7%
Apprenticeship2.3%

5. Interests (Holland Codes)

Realistic6.84
Conventional4.64
Investigative2.71
Social1.52
Enterprising1.46
Artistic1.00

6. Work Values

Support5.67
Independence4.67
Achievement3.00
Working Conditions2.83
Relationships2.33
Recognition2.33

7. Technology & Tools

Software and tools used by people in this role, per O*NET. “Hot” technologies are flagged by O*NET as in-demand.

Microsoft Excel 🔥 Microsoft Office software 🔥 Microsoft Outlook 🔥 Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥 Microsoft Word 🔥 Compliance software Data logging software Database software Geographic information system GIS systems Human machine interface HMI software Material safety data sheet MSDS software Operating system software Operational Data Store ODS software Records management software Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Timekeeping software Wastewater expert control systems Word processing software

8. Also Known As

20 alternate job titles used by employers for this occupation.

Basin Tender Biosolids Management Technician Clarifying Plant Operator Disposal Operator Disposal Plant Operator Drinking Water Technician Filter Tender Filterer Filtration Operator Filtration Plant Operator Industrial Waste Treatment Technician Lead Sewage Plant Operator Liquid Waste Treatment Plant Operator On-Site Wastewater Systems Technician Plant Operator Process Operator (Process Op) Purification Operator Radioactive Waste Disposal Dispatcher Relief Operator SCADA Operator (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Operator)

9. Related Occupations

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SOC 51-8013.03 · Primary-Short
Power Plant Operators
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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
SOC 51-8013.04 · Primary-Short
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC 51-9012.00 · Primary-Short
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
SOC 51-9011.00 · Primary-Long
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
SOC 51-8093.00 · Primary-Long
Gas Plant Operators
SOC 51-8092.00 · Primary-Long
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
SOC 51-8021.00 · Primary-Long
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
SOC 53-7071.00 · Primary-Long

Data source: O*NET Database 29.1 (tasks, skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, work context, education, technology, alternate titles, related occupations); BLS OES (median wage).

Last updated: April 2026.