Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
This program equips students with foundational engineering principles and hands-on technical expertise essential for supporting professionals in the design, operation, and maintenance of critical water infrastructure systems. Emphasis is placed on sustainable water resource management, with a focus on safe water delivery, effective wastewater treatment, and the efficient use of waterpower technologies.
- Water Storage Systems: Study of reservoir design, distribution networks, and infrastructure planning to ensure reliable, safe, and scalable water supply under varying environmental and demand conditions.
- Wastewater Treatment Technologies: Exploration of physical, chemical, and biological processes used to purify contaminated water, including primary, secondary, and advanced treatment methods.
- Waterpower Systems: Examination of hydropower generation principles, turbine operation, and integration of renewable water energy into utility grids.
- System Testing and Inspection: Training in protocols for evaluating system integrity, performance metrics, and compliance with environmental and safety standards.
- Maintenance and Operational Procedures: Practical instruction in routine upkeep, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance for pumps, pipelines, filtration units, and control systems.
- Technical Reporting and Documentation: Development of skills in compiling accurate, actionable reports for regulatory agencies, engineering teams, and operational stakeholders.
Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology degrees, including Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators and Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 178,640 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3025 | $58,890 | $39,670 - $92,280 | 12,500 | $28.31 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators 51-8031 | $58,260 | $37,870 - $86,160 | 126,750 | $28.01 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 19-4042 | $49,490 | $36,130 - $85,630 | 39,390 | $23.79 |
Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,163 in Arkansas to $84,700 in Washington—a 101% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, District of Columbia, and Nevada. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 178,640 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 52 institutions offering Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology is found at Santiago Canyon College (SCC) (184 graduates), Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) (61 graduates), Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (47 graduates), Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) (43 graduates), and Pinellas Technical College (PTC), St. Petersburg (40 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 905 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Canyon College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
184 | Orange, California | Public | sccollege.edu |
| Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Residency
|
61 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
47 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
43 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College (PTC) |
Other Award
|
40 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Palomar College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
37 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
| Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC) |
Other Award
|
26 | Sumter, South Carolina | Public | cctech.edu |
| Gavilan College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Gilroy, California | Public | gavilan.edu |
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District (MSJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | San Jacinto, California | Public | msjc.edu |
| Ventura College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Ventura, California | Public | venturacollege.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
20 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| Polytech Adult Education |
Residency
|
20 | Woodside, Delaware | Public | polytechworks.com |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (TSCT) |
Associate's
|
11 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Public | stevenscollege.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Other Award
|
10 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Other Award
|
9 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Columbia College (CC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Sonora, California | Public | gocolumbia.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Other Award
|
9 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Emily Griffith Technical College |
Other Award
|
9 | Denver, Colorado | Public | emilygriffith.edu |
| GateWay Community College (GWCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | gatewaycc.edu |
| Shasta College |
Other Award
|
7 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| Solano Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Fairfield, California | Public | welcome.solano.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
6 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
6 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Fort Scott, Kansas | Public | fortscott.edu |
| Hocking College |
Associate's
|
5 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Public | hocking.edu |
| Pellissippi State Community College (PSTCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | pstcc.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
|
4 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Residency
|
4 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | sctcc.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Public | morainepark.edu |
| Woodland Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Woodland, California | Public | wcc.yccd.edu |
| Clovis Community College (CCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Fresno, California | Public | cloviscollege.edu |
| Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Muscle Shoals, Alabama | Public | nwscc.edu |
| Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Presque Isle, Maine | Public | nmcc.edu |
| New Mexico State University |
Associate's
|
3 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Associate's
|
2 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| Umpqua Community College (UCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Roseburg, Oregon | Public | umpqua.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Public | sfcc.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Folsom Lake College (FLC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Folsom, California | Public | flc.losrios.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology degree?
Salaries for Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology graduates vary by role and location. Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $58,890 annually, while Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators earn around $58,260. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $84,700 compared to $42,163 in Arkansas. Approximately 178,640 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology programs?
Currently 53 accredited institutions offer Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Santiago Canyon College (SCC) (184 graduates), Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) (61 graduates), and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (47 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 674 in 2010 to 905 in 2023-24. This represents a 34% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Water Quality and Wastewater Management Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, and Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health. Related occupations employ approximately 178,640 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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