← All careers

Science

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

Median salary (BLS)

$167,220

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$80k – $317k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 3 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $119,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Water Resource Specialists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Water Resource Specialists Intern

    Internship

    $39,855

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Water Resource Specialists

    Entry / Junior

    $79,710

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Water Resource Specialists

    Established

    $167,220

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Water Resource Specialists

    Senior

    $242,035

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Science

Explore all

Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.