Water Resource Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Water Resource Specialists Make?
Water Resource Specialists earn a median annual salary of $161,180 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $79,830 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $159,370. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $218,800.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,830 |
| 25th percentile | $114,110 |
| Median (50th) | $161,180 |
| 75th percentile | $214,820 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Water Resource Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusettstop | $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 |
| Missouri | $143,730 |
| South Carolina | $143,150 |
| Colorado | $143,150 |
| Rhode Island | $141,380 |
| Tennessee | $140,430 |
| Virginia | $139,220 |
| Oregon | $136,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $136,700 |
| New Hampshire | $136,200 |
| Ohio | $135,990 |
| Maine | $135,900 |
| Michigan | $135,180 |
| Arkansas | $134,430 |
| West Virginia | $134,410 |
| North Dakota | $133,540 |
| Kentucky | $131,780 |
| Minnesota | $131,410 |
| New York | $131,180 |
| Texas | $130,140 |
| Alaska | $128,480 |
| Alabama | $127,210 |
| Arizona | $126,320 |
| Wisconsin | $125,050 |
| Idaho | $120,640 |
| South Dakota | $120,310 |
| New Mexico | $118,600 |
| Utah | $117,190 |
| Montana | $117,140 |
| Georgia | $116,560 |
| Mississippi | $113,730 |
| Nebraska | $113,730 |
| Wyoming | $109,600 |
| Hawaii | $106,580 |
| Nevada | $103,500 |
| Iowa | $102,880 |
| Oklahoma | $100,990 |
| Florida | $100,640 |
| Indiana | $88,610 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Water Resource Specialists
Water Resource Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$79,830 – $114,110 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$161,180 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$214,820 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Water Resource Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Water Resource Specialists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $222,840 — $61,660 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($214,820) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Water Resource Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialistthis career | $161,180 |
| Geothermal Production Manager | $121,440 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $161,180 |
| Wind Energy Development Manager | $136,550 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Manager | $136,550 |
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SOC: 11-9121.02 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.