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The differences between water resources engineers and water engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a water resources engineer and a water engineer. Additionally, a water engineer has an average salary of $98,752, which is higher than the $80,432 average annual salary of a water resources engineer.
The top three skills for a water resources engineer include hec ras, hydrologic and civil engineering. The most important skills for a water engineer are infrastructure, cost estimates, and GIS.
| Water Resources Engineer | Water Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,432 | $98,752 |
| Hourly rate | $38.67 | $47.48 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 38,911 | 8,851 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A water resource engineer develops new systems and equipment for a water resource management facility. You will be responsible for dealing with the provision for wastewater and sewage disposal, and prevention of flood damage. Your job may involve building, repairing, and maintaining structures for water resource control such as reservoirs and sea defense walls, and designing flood defense programs and sewer improvement plans. In addition, you are also expected to prepare tender documents and liaising with different individuals and agencies, including government agencies, local authorities, and contractors.
A water engineer is responsible for performing a wide range of duties. They supply, manage and maintain both wastewater and clean water services to avert flood damage. They are in charge of preparing environmental documents for regulatory program compliance, water resources, fieldwork, data analysis, and management. They also provide technical direction to various technical personnel such as junior engineers, computer-aided design technicians, and other technicians.
Water resources engineers and water engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Water Resources Engineer | Water Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,432 | $98,752 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $111,000 | Between $69,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | Chevron |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a water resources engineer and a water engineer in terms of educational background:
| Water Resources Engineer | Water Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between water resources engineers' and water engineers' demographics:
| Water Resources Engineer | Water Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0% | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 13.1% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 13.1% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |