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Business & Finance

Water Resource Specialists

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

Median salary

$161,180

Typical range

$80k – $290k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Water Resource Specialists

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

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Typical progression

  1. Water Resource Specialists Intern

    Internship

    $39,915

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Water Resource Specialists

    Entry / Junior

    $79,830

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Water Resource Specialists

    Established

    $161,180

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Water Resource Specialists

    Senior

    $225,652

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

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