In a recent article, the popular Reader's Digest provided a list of the "10 Jobs Americans Can’t Live Without." Many of the profession are in the public-service sector, working for utilities or essential security-related services like the police or fire protection. Number 2 on its list was water/wastewater treatment plant and system operators.

The article said this about the profession:

Number Employed: 108,330

Median Income: $40,770