Water Resource Specialists in North Carolina
Want to work as a Water Resource Specialists in North Carolina? 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 North Carolina?
For water resource specialists working in North Carolina, the median annual wage is $167,430 per year (or roughly $80.50/hour).
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $92,870 | $44.65 |
| 25th percentile | $129,490 | $62.26 |
| Median (50th) | $167,430 | $80.50 |
| 75th percentile | $214,880 | $103.31 |
| 90th percentile | n/a | n/a |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in North Carolina relative to the national average — is 2.11, 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), lower than the North Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 79,327 water resource specialists across the United States. In North Carolina alone, around 6,750 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 680 water resource specialists.
Top North Carolina Metros for Water Resource Specialists
The largest metro-area employers of water resource specialists in North Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 2,270 | $171,390 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,960 | $166,250 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 480 | $165,120 |
| Wilmington, NC | 430 | $156,650 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 190 | $134,770 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 170 | $142,560 |
| Asheville, NC | 80 | $127,520 |
| Greenville, NC | 80 | $160,400 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 50 | $161,750 |
| Burlington, NC | 40 | $134,060 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 40 | $156,560 |
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
The most important water resource specialists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most 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
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?
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
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like 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