Water Resource Specialists
SOC code 11-9121 · O*NET-SOC 11-9121.02 · Considerable preparation needed
Water Resource Specialists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$167,220
a year
Hourly
$80.39
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$180,250
$86.66 per hour
Middle 50%
$119,430 – $221,540
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$79,710 – $316,850
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
108,690
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Natural Sciences Managers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $79,710
- $38.32/hr
- 25th percentile
- $119,430
- $57.42/hr
- Median percentile
- $167,220
- $80.39/hr
- 75th percentile
- $221,540
- $106.51/hr
- 90th percentile
- $316,850
- $152.33/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
104,300
jobs in 2024
108,200
projected for 2034
About 3,900 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a water resource specialist do?
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
The tasks that matter most day to 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.
- 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.
How to become a water resource specialist
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 50% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree50%
- Master's Degree50%
Common questions
How much does a water resource specialist earn?
The national median is $167,220 a year. The full range runs from $79,710 at the 10th percentile to $316,850 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a water resource specialist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is water resource specialist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.6/5
- Mathematics4.2/5
- Design4.0/5
- Physics3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Geography3.4/5
- Building and Construction3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation.