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Water Resource Specialists in California

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Water Resource Specialists in California

Want to work as a Water Resource Specialists in California? Here’s what the data says. Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields. Excludes “Computer and Information Systems Managers” (11-3021) and “Architecture and Engineering Managers” (11-9041).

What do Water Resource Specialists Make in California?

For water resource specialists working in California, the typical annual salary is $204,100 per year (or about $98.13/hour).

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $121,420 $58.37
25th percentile $159,020 $76.45
Median (50th) $204,100 $98.13
75th percentile n/a n/a
90th percentile n/a n/a
Salary ranges for Water Resource Specialists in California

The job concentration index in California relative to the national average — is 1.20, suggesting that water resource specialists are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, water resource specialists earn a median of $179,716 per year ($86.40/hour), above the California median.

Water Resource Specialists earnings in California vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 79,327 water resource specialists in the U.S.. In California alone, about 14,120 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 680 water resource specialists.

Water Resource Specialists in California vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Water Resource Specialists

Top California Metros for Water Resource Specialists

The largest metro-area employers of water resource specialists in California.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 5,160 $222,840
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 2,630 $199,590
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,620 $171,620
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 1,100 $221,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 650 $161,820
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 250 $160,370
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA 170 $184,720
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA 100 n/a
Fresno, CA 90 $141,800
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA 80 $144,280
Vallejo, CA 80 $162,070
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA 60 $191,880
Bakersfield-Delano, CA 50 $160,300
Salinas, CA 40 $157,160

Top States for Water Resource Specialists Employment

View the states that employ the most water resource specialists work.

State Number Employed
California 14,120
New Jersey 9,010
Massachusetts 8,880
Texas 7,480
North Carolina 6,750
Pennsylvania 6,730
Maryland 5,020
New York 4,580
Florida 4,330
Illinois 3,100
Washington 3,070
Michigan 1,700
District of Columbia 1,650
Georgia 1,610
Colorado 1,480
Minnesota 1,470
Oregon 1,440
Virginia 1,440
Indiana 1,360
Utah 1,150

Highest-Paying States for Water Resource Specialists

The highest-paying states for water resource specialists.

State Annual Median Salary
Massachusetts $218,800
California $204,100
New Jersey $202,310
Connecticut $179,170
Washington $178,270
North Carolina $167,430
District of Columbia $164,650
Maryland $162,610
Illinois $158,690
Kansas $158,100

Skills

The most important water resource specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Writing  4.0 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  3.9 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Engineering and Technology  4.6 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.2 / 5
0
5
Design  4.0 / 5
0
5
Physics  3.9 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.5 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for water resource specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  3.9 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, water resource specialists typically:

  • 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.
  • Provide technical expertise to assist communities in the development or implementation of storm water monitoring or other water programs.
  • Compile and maintain documentation on the health of a body of water.

Work Activities

  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Getting Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Working with Computers
  • Processing Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Business Administration & Management
  • Philosophy

Related occupations to water resource specialists include:

Also Known As

Community Resource Consultant, Environmental Resource Specialist, Hydrotechnical Specialist, Hydrotechnician, Power Supply Engineer, Resource Specialist, Water Quality Specialist, Water Resource Agent, Water Resource Consultant, Water Resource Engineering Specialist, Water Resource Specialist, Water Resources Planner, Water Restoration Technician, Water Rights Specialist.

References

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