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Hydrologists
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.
Other titles employers use
Groundwater Consultant · Hydrogeologist · Hydrologist · Physical Scientist · Research Hydrologist · Scientist · Source Water Protection Specialist · Isotope Hydrologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Science
- Speaking
- Mathematics
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Geography
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.6 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.3 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.3 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 57%
- A four-year degree 39%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Geographic information system
- Word processing software
- Presentation software
- Development environment software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 330
- Job openings each year
- 30
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 330 | 30 | — |
| Washington | 330 | 30 | 13.8% |
| Minnesota | 300 | 20 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 300 | 20 | 3.4% |
| Florida | 290 | 30 | 11.5% |
| Idaho | 280 | 20 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 250 | 20 | 8.7% |
| Oregon | 250 | 20 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| Nevada | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Montana | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Vermont | 180 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Wisconsin | 180 | 10 | 5.9% |
| Virginia | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Illinois | 140 | 10 | — |
| North Carolina | 140 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 120 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Maryland | 90 | 10 | — |
| Utah | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Louisiana | 70 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 60 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| North Dakota | 40 | 0 | — |
| South Dakota | 40 | 0 | — |
| Delaware | 30 | 0 | — |
| Wyoming | 30 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 20 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 20 | 0 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Washington State University
- Degrees each year
- 130
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 91
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Degrees each year
- 89
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 82
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
- Degrees each year
- 82
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $23,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 108
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Mississippi State University
- Degrees each year
- 70
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Degrees each year
- 70
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Compare every college offering geological and earth sciences/geosciences