Water quality analyst
Also known as: drinking water quality laboratory analyst, drinking water quality analyst, water quality specialist, potable water quality analyst, drinking water quality technician, drinking water quality specialist
About this occupation
Water quality analysts safeguard the quality of water through scientific analysis, ensuring quality and safety standards are met. They take samples of the water and perform laboratory tests, and develop purification procedures so it can serve as drinking water, for irrigation purposes, and other water supply purposes.
Essential skills and knowledge
- measure water quality parameters
- perform water chemistry analysis
- chemical processes
- perform laboratory tests
- interpret scientific data to assess water quality
- laboratory techniques
- develop water purification methods
- test chemical samples
- perform water testing procedures
- prepare chemical samples
- record test data
- use personal protection equipment
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Chief Sustainability Officers (O*NET 11-1011.03). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
- Develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling, pollution reduction, waste elimination, transportation, education, and building design.
- Develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.
- Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects.
- Develop sustainability reports, presentations, or proposals for supplier, employee, academia, media, government, public interest, or other groups.
- Develop, or oversee the development of, marketing or outreach media for sustainability projects or events.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Writing, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$213,990 a year (2025), 204,350 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.2)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.7)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (3.6)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionImportant (3.5)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.2)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Climate Change Policy Analysts
- Industrial Ecologists
- Wind Energy Development Managers
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Conservation Scientists
- Chief Executives
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.