Water Resource Specialists
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
Also called: Water Resources Planner
Median pay (national)
$161,180
$79,830–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
100,870
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.7%
~8,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for water resource specialists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $79,830 at the bottom 10% — 3.0x. The median of $161,180 leaves roughly 48% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.7% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 8,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $218,800, +36% vs the national median), while Indiana sits lowest at $88,610 — a 147% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags ESRI ArcGIS software, Geographic information system GIS systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Perform hydrologic, hydraulic, or water quality modeling.
- Analyze storm water systems to identify opportunities for water resource improvements.
- Conduct, or oversee the conduct of, investigations on matters such as water storage, wastewater discharge, pollutants, permits, or other compliance and regulatory issues.
- Develop strategies for watershed operations to meet water supply and conservation goals or to ensure regulatory compliance with clean water laws or regulations.
- Conduct technical studies for water resources on topics such as pollutants and water treatment options.
- Review or evaluate designs for water detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities, or other hydraulic structures.
- Present water resource proposals to government, public interest groups, or community groups.
- Develop plans to protect watershed health or rehabilitate watersheds.
- Write proposals, project reports, informational brochures, or other documents on wastewater purification, water supply and demand, or other water resource subjects.
- Conduct cost-benefit studies for watershed improvement projects or water management alternatives.
Tools & technology
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Structured query language SQL
- Database software
- DHI MIKE URBAN
- ESRI ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
- ESRI ArcInfo
- ESRI ArcPad
- ESRI ArcView
- ESRI ArcView 3D Analyst
- FishXing
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Global positioning system GPS software
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Geography
- Building and Construction