Water Resource Specialist Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$92,000
national median salary
$73,000 to $115,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $96,600 for Hydrologists (SOC 19-2043) across the United States, based on 5,850 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$64,020
25th percentile
$77,210
Median
$96,600
75th percentile
$122,830
90th percentile
$153,130
Workers surveyed
5,850
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$92,060
May 2025 release
$96,600
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Hydrologists (SOC 19-2043) rather than Water Resource Specialistspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 19-2043Highest Paying
$129,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$96,000
Anchorage, AK
Lowest Paying
$73,000
Tulsa, OK
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 19-2043. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Water Resource Specialist salary in the United States at $92,000 in 2026, within a range of $73,000 to $115,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $129,000, while Anchorage offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Expertise in hydrology modeling, stormwater management, or water rights law drives salary variance.
Water Resource Specialist salary by city.
Skills that increase Water Resource Specialist pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Water Resource Specialists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $12,880 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$12,880 per year
≈ +$11,960 per year
≈ +$11,040 per year
≈ +$10,120 per year
≈ +$10,120 per year
≈ +$9,200 per year
≈ +$9,200 per year
≈ +$8,280 per year
What you should know.
Expertise in hydrology modeling, stormwater management, or water rights law drives salary variance. Specialists working in water-stressed regions like the Southwest or on large infrastructure projects earn 15 to 25% more. PE licensure adds significant value in consulting roles.
Entry-level Water Resource Specialists earn $60,000 to $68,000. Mid-career professionals with modeling expertise reach $74,000 to $88,000. Senior Specialists and Project Managers command $90,000 to $110,000, while Water Resource Directors at utilities or firms exceed $125,000.
Government roles offer pension benefits and strong job security but trend 10 to 15% below consulting salaries. Consulting firms provide annual bonuses of 5 to 12% and billable-hour incentives. Field work per diem can add $5,000 to $10,000 annually.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Water Resource Specialists typically earn $78,000 (15% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Water Resource Specialist pay.
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