# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hydrologists
- SOC code: 19-2043.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $96,600 (10th percentile $64,020, 90th percentile $153,130)
- Projected growth: Slower than average, +1.5%
- Openings a year: 400
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 81 |
| Investigative (I) | 90 |
| Artistic (A) | 10 |
| Social (S) | 19 |
| Enterprising (E) | 22 |
| Conventional (C) | 55 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 91/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 89/100)
- Getting Information (importance 86/100)
- Processing Information (importance 84/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 81/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 79/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 77/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 74/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 74/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Science, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Writing

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Physics, Engineering and Technology, Chemistry, English Language, Geography, Computers and Electronics, Education and Training, Biology, Design

## Also called

Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Isotope Hydrologist, Project Hydrogeologist, Research Hydrologic Engineer, Research Hydrologist, Source Water Protection Specialist, Surface Hydrologist, Water Resources Scientist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4006) (CIP 4006, 593 colleges)
- Environmental Geosciences (CIP 3041, 17 colleges)
- Earth Systems Science (CIP 3038, 9 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus-main-campus-3007) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $85,207 | $25,142 |
| [The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $46,634 | $83,481 | $13,000 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles UCLA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $79,143 | not reported |
| [Texas A & M University-College Station](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-a-m-university-college-station-2694) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $51,208 | $74,594 | $17,279 |
| [Texas Tech University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-tech-university-2710) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $74,591 | $27,000 |
| [California State University-Sacramento](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-sacramento-375) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $73,418 | not reported |
| [University of California-Davis](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-davis-2882) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $73,337 | not reported |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | not reported | $73,305 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geoscientists-except-hydrologists-and-geographers): $101,920 median pay
- [Hydrologic Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hydrologic-technicians): $64,790 median pay
- [Industrial Ecologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-ecologists): $82,220 median pay
- [Water Resource Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-resource-specialists): $167,220 median pay
- [Conservation Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/conservation-scientists): $73,010 median pay
- [Water/Wastewater Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-wastewater-engineers): $100,840 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.