Water Resource Specialists in Massachusetts
Considering working as a Water Resource Specialists in Massachusetts? Below are the key facts. 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 Massachusetts?
The water resource specialists working in Massachusetts, wages run about $218,800 per year (or about $105.19/hour).
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $124,370 | $59.80 |
| 25th percentile | $170,720 | $82.08 |
| Median (50th) | $218,800 | $105.19 |
| 75th percentile | n/a | n/a |
| 90th percentile | n/a | n/a |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Massachusetts compared to the national average — is 3.73, indicating 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 Massachusetts median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 79,327 water resource specialists in the U.S.. In Massachusetts alone, approximately 8,880 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 680 water resource specialists.
Top Massachusetts Metros for Water Resource Specialists
These are the Massachusetts metros with the most water resource specialists in Massachusetts.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 7,670 | $219,380 |
| Worcester, MA | 340 | $211,400 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 70 | $146,280 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 70 | $169,890 |
| Springfield, MA | 40 | $168,300 |
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
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
Key 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
Key abilities for water resource specialists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 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
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ESRI ArcGIS software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- General Biology
- Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Neurobiology & Neurosciences
- Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences
- Ecology & Systematics Biology
- Other Biological Sciences
- Microbiology Science & Immunology
- Biotechnology
- Zoology
- Biomathematics & Bioinformatics
- Botany/Plant Biology
- Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Genetics
- Physiology & Pathology Sciences
- Molecular Medicine
- Biological & Physical Science
- Data Science
- Nutrition Science
- Sustainability Science
- Cognitive Science
- Natural Sciences
- Computational Science
- Human Biology
- Mathematics & Computer Science
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- Science, Technology & Society
- Marine Science
- Biopsychology
- Mathematical Economics
- Climate Science
- Environmental Geosciences
- Anthrozoology
- Earth Systems Science
- Geobiology
- Mathematics and Atmospheric/Oceanic Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Geological & Earth Sciences
- General Physical Sciences
- Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Other Physical Science
- Physics and Astronomy
- Materials Sciences
- Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics
- Statistics
- Applied Statistics
- Other Statistics
- Operations Research
- Engineering Physics
- Medical Science
- Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Business Administration & Management
- History
- Philosophy
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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