What Does it Take to Be a Hydrologist?
Hydrologist Job Description Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.
A Day in the Life of a Hydrologist
- 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.
- Administer programs designed to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
- Compile and evaluate hydrologic information to prepare navigational charts and maps and to predict atmospheric conditions.
- Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action.
What a Hydrologist Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Hydrologists say are important on the job.
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.
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.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles
- Geologist
- Water Resources Program Director
- Source Water Protection Specialist
- Volcanologist
- Research Hydrologist
Is There Going to be Demand for Hydrologists?
In the United States, there were 6,700 jobs for Hydrologists in 2016.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.9% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 700 new jobs for Hydrologists by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Hydrologists are Colorado, Washington, and Utah.
Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, South Dakota, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Hydrologists Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Hydrologist ranges between $48,820 and $122,890. The median salary is $79,370.
How much do Hydrologists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
New Jersey |
$109,910 |
|
Georgia |
$105,230 |
|
Maryland |
$100,280 |
|
California |
$99,080 |
|
New Hampshire |
$95,520 |
|
Colorado |
$93,750 |
|
Virginia |
$90,330 |
|
New Mexico |
$88,640 |
|
Washington |
$88,370 |
|
Oklahoma |
$88,370 |
|
Alaska |
$88,050 |
|
Indiana |
$87,930 |
|
Nevada |
$87,640 |
|
Tennessee |
$87,440 |
|
Utah |
$86,270 |
|
Oregon |
$86,020 |
|
Illinois |
$82,150 |
|
Florida |
$81,170 |
|
Ohio |
$79,680 |
|
Texas |
$78,240 |
|
Maine |
$77,910 |
|
Michigan |
$77,050 |
|
New York |
$75,560 |
|
Minnesota |
$75,110 |
|
Montana |
$74,660 |
|
Massachusetts |
$73,640 |
|
Arizona |
$72,380 |
|
North Dakota |
$71,890 |
|
North Carolina |
$71,450 |
|
Wisconsin |
$66,850 |
|
Wyoming |
$65,690 |
|
Louisiana |
$64,370 |
|
Nebraska |
$63,440 |
|
South Carolina |
$54,220 |
|
Idaho |
$47,990 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Hydrologists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Hydrologists:
- Scientific Software Group 3DFATMIC
- Microsoft Word
- Scientific Software Group 3DFEMFAT
- Microsoft Office
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Autodesk AutoCAD MAP3D
- Scientific Software Group EVS
- Microsoft Access
- BOSS International Visual Groundwater
- Microsoft Visual Basic
Who Employs Hydrologists?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming Hydrologists might also be interested in the following careers:
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
Those who work as Hydrologists sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
- First-Line Supervisors of Aquacultural Workers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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