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Water Science

Certificate of Achievement



Program Details

The Water Science program provides students with the technical training they need to pursue a career in the municipal potable water and wastewater industries. Waterworks operators protect public health by ensuring that plant operations comply with state and federally mandated drinking water and wastewater disposal standards. Students seeking an Associate Degree in Water Science may choose the Water option to prepare them for a career in potable water treatment or the Wastewater option to prepare them for a career in wastewater sanitation. Regardless of the option chosen, both paths lead to rewarding careers protecting the health of both the community and the environment at local, state, and federal levels.

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Water Science Pathways

Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2026-2027. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?

Featured Careers

Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • Biomass Plant Technicians

    High school diploma/GED, Certificate after high school

    • Job growth: Declining
    • Low salary: 37,870
    • High salary: 86,160
    • Average salary: 58260
    Declining Job Growth $ 58,260 Average Salary $37,870 $86,160

  • Chemical Plant & System Operators

    High school diploma/GED, Certificate after high school

    • Job growth: Declining
    • Low salary: 37,870
    • High salary: 86,160
    • Average salary: 58260
    Declining Job Growth $ 58,260 Average Salary $37,870 $86,160

  • Civil Engineering Technologists & Technicians

    Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED

    • Job growth: Declining
    • Low salary: 39,670
    • High salary: 92,280
    • Average salary: 58890
    Declining Job Growth $ 58,890 Average Salary $39,670 $92,280

All Careers in Water Science (15)

Civil Engineering Technologists & TechniciansBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDDeclining58,890
Environmental Compliance InspectorsBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDDeclining58,890
Environmental EngineersBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDDeclining58,890
Environmental Science & Protection Technicians, Including HealthBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDDeclining58,890
Environmental Scientists & Specialists, Including HealthBachelor's degree, High school diploma/GEDDeclining58,890
Biomass Plant TechniciansHigh school diploma/GED, Certificate after high schoolDeclining58,260
Chemical Plant & System OperatorsHigh school diploma/GED, Certificate after high schoolDeclining58,260
Hydroelectric Plant TechniciansHigh school diploma/GED, Certificate after high schoolDeclining58,260
Power Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma/GED, Certificate after high schoolDeclining58,260
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, & Still Machine Setters, Operators, & TendersHigh school diploma/GED, Certificate after high schoolDeclining58,260
Environmental Compliance InspectorsBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising49,490
Environmental Engineering Technologists & TechniciansBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising49,490
Environmental EngineersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising49,490
Environmental Scientists & Specialists, Including HealthBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising49,490
Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant & System OperatorsBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising49,490

Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.

  1. Analyze the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, microbiology, and math as they relate to the water industry.
  2. Tie potable water treatment requirements and water distribution system criteria and to local, state, and federal regulatory standards.
  3. Understand the foundational engineering and operations used at potable water treatment facilities and with water distribution systems.
  4. Understand the state licensing requirements for entering into and advancing in the water industry.