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 |
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.
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.
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:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for water resource specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 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
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to water resource specialists include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Wind Energy Development Managers
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Agricultural Engineers
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
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 11-9121.02