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Water Resource Specialists in California

Water Resource Specialists in California

Thinking about a career 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).

$204,100 Median Annual Wage (California)
$179,716 National Median Annual Wage
14,120 California Employment
Considerable Preparation Needed Typical Preparation

What do Water Resource Specialists Make in California?

The water resource specialists working in California, the median annual wage 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 location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California nationwide 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), exceeding 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 across the United States. In California alone, approximately 14,120 people work in this role. That’s higher than 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

These are the California metros with the most 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

These states have the highest employment of 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

Key water resource specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Writing  4.0 / 5
0
5
Time Management  3.9 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key 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:

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

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • 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
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization

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:

Other careers like 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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