National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 92101: Water and waste treatment plant operators
Water treatment plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water. Below are the main duties, all 31 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 92101?
NOC 92101 is the code for water and waste treatment plant operators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include environmental systems operator - water treatment, liquid waste process operator, sewage plant operator and waste treatment plant operator. It is a TEER 2 occupation (usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role), so it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $36.06 an hour.
- NOC code
- 92101
- TEER
- 2: College diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years
- Broad category
- Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $36.06 an hour
Job titles under NOC 92101
Water treatment plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water. Liquid waste plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes. They are employed by municipal governments and industrial facilities. This unit group also includes waste treatment plant operators in composting plants and other waste management facilities.
Main job titles
- environmental systems operator - water treatment
- liquid waste process operator
- sewage plant operator
- waste treatment plant operator
- wastewater treatment plant operator
- water filtration plant operator
- water purification plant operator
- water treatment plant operator
All 31 job titles in the NOC index
environmental systems operator - water treatment, filter plant operator - water treatment, filtration plant controller - water treatment, industrial waste treatment plant operator, liquid waste process operator, liquid waste processing plant operator, liquid waste treatment plant operator, pump station operator - water treatment, pumphouse operator - water treatment, sewage plant operator, sewage-processing equipment tender, waste treatment plant operator, wastewater collection operator, wastewater collection systems operator, wastewater treatment operator, wastewater treatment plant operator, wastewater treatment plant worker, water and wastewater technician, water filtration plant operator, water gate operator, water plant pump operator, water purification plant operator, water treatment operator, water treatment plant operator, water treatment plant process technician, water treatment systems operator, water utility operator, water, fuels and environment technician - Canadian Armed Forces, waterworks pump house operator, waterworks pumping station operator, well-point pump operator.
Main duties of NOC 92101
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Water treatment plant operators
- Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water
- Monitor and inspect plant equipment and systems to detect equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant systems are operating normally
- Read flow meters, gauges and other recording instruments to measure water output and consumption levels, bacterial content, chlorine and fluoride levels
- Collect and test water samples for chemical and bacterial content, analyze test results and instrument readings and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems to ensure quality control
- Provide verbal or written instructions for process control changes to waterworks system to ensure water produced meets standardized quality requirements
- Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
- Respond to public enquiries regarding water quality issues and emergencies
- Complete and maintain plant logs, reports and statistics
- May perform minor maintenance or assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery
- May measure, mix and transport chemicals to maintain feed stocks.
Liquid waste plant operators
- Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the flow of sewage through settling, aeration and digestion tanks, and to treat and dispose of sewage and wastes
- Patrol plant to check pumps, motors, filters, chlorinators and other plant equipment; monitor and read gauges, meters and other recording instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and ensure plant systems and equipment are operating within prescribed limits
- Test and adjust chemical feed rates to ensure that disinfection processes meet quality standards
- Collect waste and sewage samples, test and analyze results and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as required
- Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
- Complete and maintain plant logs and reports
- Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with required standards
- May assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- College or industry training courses in chemistry, pollution control or related subjects are usually required.
- Certification in water treatment and distribution (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for water treatment plant operators.
- Drinking water certification is required in Quebec and Ontario for operators whose work involves water treatment and distribution.
- Certification in wastewater collection and wastewater treatment (level according to the classification of the plant) is required for wastewater treatment plant operators.
- Solid waste, landfill or compost facility operator certification may be required for operators in waste treatment plants.
- Certification in workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and courses in safety practices may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Previous experience as a worker in the water treatment or wastewater field may be required.
Additional information
- There is limited mobility between water treatment plant and waste plant operators.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Is NOC 92101 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 2 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 92101 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | A listed skilled trade |
| Occupation category draws (2026) | Not on any occupation list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 92101 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $25.00 | $36.06 | $48.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $25.40 | $32.78 | $41.08 |
| Prince Edward Island | $23.39 | $30.29 | $37.43 |
| Nova Scotia | $23.39 | $30.85 | $37.77 |
| New Brunswick | $23.39 | $30.29 | $37.43 |
| Quebec | $22.00 | $31.00 | $48.30 |
| Ontario | $27.00 | $38.11 | $52.00 |
| Manitoba | $24.10 | $27.88 | $40.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $23.00 | $31.23 | $45.00 |
| Alberta | $28.00 | $41.00 | $49.45 |
| British Columbia | $28.80 | $36.80 | $45.07 |
| Yukon | $22.83 | $34.17 | $54.89 |
| Northwest Territories | $23.07 | $34.05 | $49.08 |
| Nunavut | $19.00 | $34.80 | $54.00 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Labour Force Survey). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 92101 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 92101 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
Turn my duties into a resume Free to start, no card.
Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a environmental systems operator - water treatment?
NOC 92101, Water and waste treatment plant operators, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 92101?
TEER 2. Usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 92101 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 2 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, and it is also a listed Federal Skilled Trades occupation. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 92101 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
No. It is not on any 2026 occupation list. The French-language proficiency category is open to any occupation if you reach NCLC 7 in French. See every category.
How much does NOC 92101 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $36.06 an hour, with most wages between $25.00 and $48.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 92101 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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CVMaple turns the work you did into a Canadian resume: the right format, strong bullets and the keywords Canadian applicant tracking systems look for.
More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.