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Water quality specialist vs water resource project manager

The differences between water quality specialists and water resource project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a water resource project manager has an average salary of $88,678, which is higher than the $53,609 average annual salary of a water quality specialist.

The top three skills for a water quality specialist include customer service, extraction and water damage. The most important skills for a water resource project manager are water resources, business development, and GIS.

Water quality specialist vs water resource project manager overview

Water Quality SpecialistWater Resource Project Manager
Yearly salary$53,609$88,678
Hourly rate$25.77$42.63
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs64,37051,322
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a water quality specialist do?

Typically working for government agencies, a water quality specialist is in charge of conducting studies to test the quality and environmental sources of water, identifying potential issues should there be any. Among their responsibilities include traveling to various areas with water access points, gathering samples for laboratory tests, performing site inspections, and maintaining records of procedures. Through the research and test findings, a water quality test specialist draws conclusions and alerts the authorities for any problems. Moreover, aside from government agencies, a water quality specialist may also work for other institutions and private companies.

What does a water resource project manager do?

A water resource project manager administers a water quality monitoring network, nutrient or irrigation efficiency management initiative, and static water level program. Water resource project managers establish regulations and rules for the management and protection of drinking water quality. They deliver proposal development, sales, technical writing, and business development. It is their job to support services to a full-service construction firm. Also, they direct in-plant logistics and transportation and coordinate with private clients for permission.

Water quality specialist vs water resource project manager salary

Water quality specialists and water resource project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Water Quality SpecialistWater Resource Project Manager
Average salary$53,609$88,678
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $80,000Between $67,000 And $115,000
Highest paying CityNewark, DE-
Highest paying stateRhode Island-
Best paying companyDC Water-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between water quality specialist and water resource project manager education

There are a few differences between a water quality specialist and a water resource project manager in terms of educational background:

Water Quality SpecialistWater Resource Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorEnvironmental ScienceCivil Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York

Water quality specialist vs water resource project manager demographics

Here are the differences between water quality specialists' and water resource project managers' demographics:

Water Quality SpecialistWater Resource Project Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 61.1% Female, 38.9%Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 9.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between water quality specialist and water resource project manager duties and responsibilities

Water quality specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage IDDE program that consists of GIS documentation, field sampling and reporting.
  • Manage performance improvement and quality improvement projects design to assess and improve health outcomes for Medicaid members.
  • Map interpretation for wetland, floodplain and shoreland.
  • Field orienteering using GPS, topographical maps, aerial photos, basic compass
  • Gather data points using survey quality GPS units at sample site locations.
  • Analyze soil and water extracts according to EPA commercial and contract laboratory protocols.
  • Show more

Water resource project manager example responsibilities.

  • Perform problem resolution, cost recovery, manage inventory of network components, direct RFP process for procurement of telecommunications services.
  • Develop, organize and execute SDLC projects to improve safety, quality and/or productivity throughout several processes in a warehouse environment.
  • Supervise and coordinate installation of new telecommunication system in multiple buildings.

Water quality specialist vs water resource project manager skills

Common water quality specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 32%
  • Extraction, 20%
  • Water Damage, 16%
  • MSDS, 5%
  • Plumbing, 3%
  • Site Inspections, 2%
Common water resource project manager skills
  • Water Resources, 33%
  • Business Development, 14%
  • GIS, 11%
  • HEC-RAS, 11%
  • Autocad, 10%
  • SWMM, 9%

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