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Water Resource Specialists in Virginia

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Water Resource Specialists in Virginia

Considering working as a Water Resource Specialists in Virginia? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Virginia?

The water resource specialists working in Virginia, the median annual wage is $139,220 per year (or roughly $66.93/hour).Earnings range from $92,630 at the 10th percentile to $212,990 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $92,630 $44.53
25th percentile $113,730 $54.68
Median (50th) $139,220 $66.93
75th percentile $180,450 $86.75
90th percentile $212,990 $102.40
Salary ranges for Water Resource Specialists in Virginia

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Virginia compared to the national average — is 0.54, suggesting fewer water resource specialists per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

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

Water Resource Specialists earnings in Virginia vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 79,327 water resource specialists in the U.S.. In Virginia alone, about 1,440 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 680 water resource specialists.

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

Top Virginia Metros for Water Resource Specialists

These are the Virginia metros with the most water resource specialists in Virginia.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Richmond, VA 240 $121,010
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 190 $116,620
Charlottesville, VA 60 $104,840
Roanoke, VA 30 $106,750

Top States for Water Resource Specialists Employment

The table below shows the states where 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

These states pay the most 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

Top 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

Key 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

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

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Business Administration & Management
  • Philosophy

Careers similar 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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