Hydrologists earn a median of $96,600 per year ($46.44/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 1.5% through 2035, with about 400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-2043
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Hydrologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $96,600a year, or $46.44/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $64KTop 10% $153K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.5%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4006,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20256.3K
- Projected 20356.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 6.3K Projected 2035 6.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Research Hydrologic Engineer, Research Hydrologist, Source Water Protection Specialist.
Pay
How much do Hydrologists make?
Every hydrologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$96,600
Middle half earn $77,210 to $122,830
- 10th
- $64,020
- 25th
- $77,210
- 75th
- $122,830
- 90th
- $153,130
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $64,020 |
| 25th | $77,210 |
| Median | $96,600 |
| 75th | $122,830 |
| 90th | $153,130 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $96,600
- Median hourly wage
- $46.44/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $103,600
- People employed
- 5,850
Versus all US occupations
At $96,600, Hydrologists earn 89% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $45,620 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 17% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $153,130 or more while the bottom 10% earn $64,020, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 70% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Maryland pays the most at $143,010, and still leads at $136,253 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Hydrologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maryland | $143,010 | $136,253 | 90 |
| 2Virginia | $132,080 | $130,638 | 40 |
| 3New Jersey | $126,680 | $116,428 | N/A |
| 4California | $122,110 | $110,287 | 540 |
| 5Georgia | $121,830 | $126,520 | 30 |
| 6Massachusetts | $119,350 | $112,853 | 50 |
| 7Missouri | $116,100 | $127,840 | 50 |
| 8Alaska | $108,660 | $106,156 | 60 |
| 9Nevada | $107,930 | $107,953 | 170 |
| 10Washington | $105,600 | $98,680 | 350 |
Job outlook
Is Hydrologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hydrologists | +1.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Hydrologists to change 1.5% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 400 openings are projected each year, 6.3% of the 6,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Despite limited employment growth, about 400 openings for hydrologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for the services of hydrologists will stem from ongoing human activities such as mining, construction, and hydraulic fracturing. Concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of flooding and droughts are likely to increase demand for these scientists. Hydrologists will be needed to assess threats to local, state, and national water supplies and to develop comprehensive water management plans. However, the development and use of integrated technology and review systems may limit the need for some hydrologists.
Population expansion into areas that were previously uninhabited also may increase the risk of flooding, and new communities may encounter water availability issues. Although governments value hydrologists' expertise in finding sustainable solutions to managing water resources, budget constraints will limit hiring and impact growth.
Getting in
How to become a Hydrologist
To enter the occupation, hydrologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in geology, hydrology, or a related field. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Hydrologist do?
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.
Hydrologists study water and how it moves across and through the Earth’s crust. They research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of surface water and groundwater. They also study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of evaporation into the atmosphere, infiltration into soil, or return to the ocean.
Day-to-day tasks
- Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
- Prepare reports or presentations describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
- Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.
- Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
- Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments.
- Conduct short- and long-term climate assessments and study storm occurrences.
- Develop or modify methods for conducting hydrologic studies.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most hydrologists work full time. Some work more than 40 hours a week, especially when they are in the field.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where hydrologists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Federal government, excluding postal service26%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals26%
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services18%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals12%
- Engineering services7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 26% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 26% |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 18% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 12% |
| Engineering services | 7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Mathematics3.9
- Science3.9
- Writing3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Active Learning3.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Systems Analysis3.5
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
- Persuasion3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.5 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Categorization or classification software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Hydrologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Hydrologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.4
- Realistic5.8
- Conventional4.3
- Enterprising2.3
- Social2.1
- Artistic1.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Hydrologist
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geoscientist, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$101,920median a year
Most earn $59K to $200K
+5.1%Bachelor's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Management
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with hydrologists highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Hydrologist$96,600
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Hydrologist | $96,600 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Hydrologist appears on
Questions
Hydrologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Hydrologists make?
Hydrologists earn a median of $96,600 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 89% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $46.44/hr. The middle half earn between $77,210 and $122,830. The top 10% earn $153,130 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Hydrologist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Hydrologists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation.
Is Hydrologist a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.5% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Hydrologist do?
Hydrologists study water and how it moves across and through the Earth’s crust. A core O*NET task: design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Hydrologists the most?
The highest state medians for Hydrologists are Maryland ($143,010), Virginia ($132,080), New Jersey ($126,680) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Hydrologist?
O*NET scores Hydrologists highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.