Water, sewage and other systems
NAICS Code: 221300
BLS projects Water, sewage and other systems to contract -0.1% through 2034 - 2.5 points slower than the 2.4% average across 291 U.S. industries, faster-growing than 29% of them. Its trajectory is close to the typical U.S. industry.
Where Water, sewage and other systems sits among all industries
Projected 2024-2034 growth across 291 U.S. industries (BLS). This industry is marked in rose.
Where Water, sewage and other systems sits by projected growth
Projected employment change across tracked industries
-0.1% Top 71% higher than 29% of 291 industries
Industries, banded by projected growth
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more industries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source BLS Employment Projections · 2026-05-15
Contraction read
Signature: -0.1% projected BLS growth for Water, sewage and other systems .
Projected decline plus a mid-sized public-company sample argues for checking adjacent occupations before treating any single firm grade as destiny.
NAICS 221300 · 62,100 workers (2024, ×1k) · source BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Employer AI grades are occupation-weighted scores from our SEC cohort, not automation predictions for every establishment in Water, sewage and other systems.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Water, sewage and other systems (NAICS 221300) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing | 62,500 | +1.8% |
| Independent artists, writers, and performers | 62,200 | -1.5% |
| Water, sewage and other systems | 62,100 | -0.1% |
| Household appliance manufacturing | 60,100 | -7.5% |
| Nonscheduled air transportation | 59,900 | +5.9% |
| Steel product manufacturing from purchased steel | 59,800 | +1.9% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Water, sewage and other systems?
As of 2024, the Water, sewage and other systems industry employs approximately 62,100 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Water, sewage and other systems growing or declining?
The Water, sewage and other systems industry is projected to decline by 0.1% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of -100 jobs over the decade.
Which public companies sit near Water, sewage and other systems?
We have not yet matched a public-company cohort to Water, sewage and other systems. Browse the employer AI risk directory for sector-level peers.
How will AI affect the Water, sewage and other systems industry?
AI impact on the Water, sewage and other systems industry depends on the occupation mix inside it. View occupation-level AI exposure scores and employer risk grades for the measurable signals we publish.
Where to look next under contraction
What to do with this
Use Water, sewage and other systems' employment and exposure numbers above to look up individual employers and occupations, not just the industry aggregate.
- See how public employers in this and other industries rank nationwide by AI displacement risk. Employer AI risk rankings
- Browse individual occupations to see exposure and wage detail below the industry level. Browse all occupations
- Compare this industry's outlook against a specific occupation or employer using the interactive tool. Workforce comparison tool
Industry-level figures are aggregates; individual employer and occupation outcomes vary.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034; SEC employer metadata for AI grades Employment figures in thousands. Employer grades are occupation-weighted exposure scores, not firm automation forecasts