Water Resource Specialists earn a median of $167,220 per year ($80.39/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 8.2% through 2035, with about 9,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 11-9121
- Management
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Water Resource Specialist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $167,220a year, or $80.39/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $80KTop 10% $317K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +8.2%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+8.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +8.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 9,200112,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025112.2K
- Projected 2035121.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 112.2K Projected 2035 121.5K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's50%
- Master's50%
Highest education held by water resource specialists Segment Value Bachelor's 50% Master's 50%
Also advertised as: Water Resources Planner.
Pay
How much do Water Resource Specialists make?
Every water resource specialist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$167,220
Middle half earn $119,430 to $221,540
- 10th
- $79,710
- 25th
- $119,430
- 75th
- $221,540
- 90th
- $316,850
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $79,710 |
| 25th | $119,430 |
| Median | $167,220 |
| 75th | $221,540 |
| 90th | $316,850 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $167,220
- Median hourly wage
- $80.39/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $180,250
- People employed
- 108,690
Versus all US occupations
At $167,220, Water Resource Specialists earn 228% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $116,240 a year.
Versus management occupations
Inside the Management group, where the middle occupation pays $126,060, this is 33% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $316,850 or more while the bottom 10% earn $79,710, a gap of 4.0×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 95% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Massachusetts pays the most at $267,290, and still leads at $252,740 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Water Resource Specialists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Massachusetts | $267,290 | $252,740 | 10,590 |
| 2Connecticut | $210,670 | $203,330 | 1,190 |
| 3California | $210,230 | $189,875 | 14,950 |
| 4New Jersey | $207,030 | $190,276 | 10,040 |
| 5Washington | $182,480 | $170,521 | 2,490 |
| 6North Carolina | $173,870 | $184,329 | 6,010 |
| 7Maryland | $168,620 | $160,653 | 4,820 |
| 8Illinois | $159,670 | $159,737 | 2,810 |
| 9District of Columbia | $156,730 | $142,610 | 1,540 |
| 10Kansas | $153,820 | $170,782 | 240 |
Job outlook
Is Water Resource Specialist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +8.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | +8.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Water Resource Specialists to change 8.2% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.3× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 9,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 9,200 openings are projected each year, 8.2% of the 112,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment growth should be affected by many of the same factors that affect employment growth for the scientists whom these managers supervise. For example, when organizations hire more hydrologists for water conservation, they also may need to hire more natural sciences managers to oversee them.
Getting in
How to become a Water Resource Specialist
Natural sciences managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or related field. Most work as scientists before becoming managers.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as water resource specialists.
- Bachelor's Degree50%
- Master's Degree50%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 50% |
| Master's Degree | 50% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
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.
Natural sciences managers plan, supervise, or coordinate activities in fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics. They direct work related to research and development and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- 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.
- Write proposals, project reports, informational brochures, or other documents on wastewater purification, water supply and demand, or other water resource subjects.
- Conduct technical studies for water resources on topics such as pollutants and water treatment options.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most natural sciences managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They also may need to work evenings or weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where water resource specialists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences38%
- Federal government, excluding postal service11%
- Manufacturing8%
- Healthcare and social assistance7%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 38% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 11% |
| Manufacturing | 8% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 7% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Mathematics3.3
- Active Learning3.3
- Monitoring3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Time Management3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Systems Analysis3.6
- Systems Evaluation3.6
- Coordination3.3
- Persuasion3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Time Management | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.6 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Internet browser software
- Map creation software
- Mobile location based services software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Water Resource Specialist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Water Resource Specialist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative5.8
- Realistic4.5
- Conventional4.2
- Enterprising3.5
- Social2.6
- Artistic1.8
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Water Resource Specialist
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
More management careers
Median annual pay, with water resource specialists highlighted
- IT Manager$175,140
- Water Resource Specialist$167,220
- Marketing Manager$166,790
- Financial Manager$166,570
- Human Resources Manager$149,280
- Sales Manager$148,270
- Construction Manager$114,990
- Supply Chain Manager$107,230
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager$69,990
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| IT Manager | $175,140 |
| Water Resource Specialist | $167,220 |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $107,230 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager | $69,990 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Water Resource Specialist appears on
Questions
Water Resource Specialist: frequently asked questions
How much do Water Resource Specialists make?
Water Resource Specialists earn a median of $167,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 228% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $80.39/hr. The middle half earn between $119,430 and $221,540. The top 10% earn $316,850 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Water Resource Specialist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Water Resource Specialists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Water Resource Specialist a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 8.2% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 9,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Water Resource Specialist do?
Natural sciences managers plan, supervise, or coordinate activities in fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics. A core O*NET task: perform hydrologic, hydraulic, or water quality modeling. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Water Resource Specialists the most?
The highest state medians for Water Resource Specialists are Massachusetts ($267,290), Connecticut ($210,670), California ($210,230) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Water Resource Specialist?
O*NET scores Water Resource Specialists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.