by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Water Resources Engineering covers Water Resources Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Systems For Collecting, Storing, Moving, Conserving And Controlling Surface- And Groundwater, Including Water Quality Control, Water Cycle Management, Management Of Human And Industrial Water Requirements, Water Delivery, And Flood Control. Continue reading for the essential details every water resources engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering water resources engineering programs.
Nationwide, water resources engineering is a popular field of study, with 53 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Water Resources Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 12 schools to determine the best overall colleges for water resources engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of water resources engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Water Resources Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations water resources engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a water resources engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a water resources engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several water resources engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 45 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to water resources engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.2% |
| Master’s degree | 12.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 5.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in water resources engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in water resources engineering opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to water resources engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to water resources engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Transportation Engineers | 392,941 | 1.1% |
| Water/Wastewater Engineers | 383,114 | 5.6% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Civil Engineers | 278,890 | 11.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of water resources engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $71,056 |
| 4 years | $78,886 |
| 5 years | $88,976 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for water resources engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers water resources engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Transportation Engineers | $120,210 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
With 12 different water resources engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased water resources engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in water resources engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering, General | 19,293 |
| Structural Engineering | 338 |
| Civil Engineering, Other | 173 |
| Transportation and Highway Engineering | 127 |
| Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering | 21 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
