Hydrologists
Science, Technology, Engineering and MathematicsO*NET 19-2043.00United States
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
- Median annual earnings
- $96,480
- Projected change
- +3.6%
- Typical education
- Master's or Professional degree
- Employment
- 7.42K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
52.2% of the workforce
Growing to 7.69K by 2035
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The work
What hydrologists do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
- Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
- Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
- Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
- Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
- Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
- Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments.
- Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
- Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.
- Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure.
- Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting.
- Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.
- Evaluate data and provide recommendations regarding the feasibility of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, flood warning systems, and waste treatment facilities.
- Develop or modify methods for conducting hydrologic studies.
- Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action.
- Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities.
- Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology.
- Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost.
- Conduct short- and long-term climate assessments and study storm occurrences.
- Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders.
- Administer programs designed to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $61,392
- 25th percentile
- $75,453
- 50th percentile
- $96,480
- 75th percentile
- $127,058
- 90th percentile
- $165,124
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $96,480 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+3.6%average or slower
20257,416 jobs
2035 projected7,686 jobs
270 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Master's or Professional degree
- 52.2%
- Bachelor's degree
- 43.5%
- Doctoral degree or more
- 4.4%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Negotiation
- Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Hydrologists198 postings
- 02Test Analysts84 postings
- 03Hydraulic Modellers50 postings
- 04Water Resources Managers40 postings
- 05Project Managers/Hydrogeologists33 postings
- 06Scientific Aides26 postings
- 07Water Resources Scientists26 postings
- 08Hydrogeologists22 postings
- 09Hydraulics Engineers18 postings
- 10Coastal Engineers17 postings
- 11Climate Change Specialists16 postings
- 12Geologists/Hydrogeologists15 postings
- 13Postdoctoral Fellows14 postings
- 14Groundwater Modellers13 postings
- 15Engineers11 postings
- 16Postdoctoral Researchers11 postings
- 17Modelers10 postings
- 18Watershed Specialists10 postings
- 19Operations Engineers9 postings
- 20Soil Scientists9 postings
Top employers
- 01TÜV SÜD84 postings
- 02WSP Global34 postings
- 03Barr Engineering Co.31 postings
- 04Environmental Science Associates22 postings
- 05CDM Smith19 postings
- 06Jacobs Solutions18 postings
- 07State of Minnesota17 postings
- 08Geosyntec Consultants16 postings
- 09Texas Commission On Environmental Quality15 postings
- 10State of South Carolina14 postings
- 11Verdantas14 postings
- 12California State Water Resources Control Board13 postings
- 13State Of New Mexico13 postings
- 14State of California11 postings
- 15AECOM10 postings
- 16Actalent10 postings
- 17Xylem9 postings
- 18Consor Engineers8 postings
- 19Lvi Associates8 postings
- 20Lynker8 postings
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