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Things that raise your pay

• Flood modelling software

  HEC-RAS (a free river modelling program from the United States Army Corps of Engineers) and PCSWMM (a Canadian-built stormwater model) are what firms hire for.

• A master's degree in water resources

  It shortens the climb to technical lead and is often expected for dam safety work.

• Dam safety

  Only a small group of engineers in Canada does this. Utilities pay well for it.

• GIS (geographic information system) skills

  Mapping watersheds and flood extents is half the job.

• Project management

  Running the budget and the client is where pay jumps after about ten years.