Hydrologists Career, Salary and Skills
Hydrologists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $96,600 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 5,850. Wage data is published for 67 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
19-2043.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$96,600
Hourly median
$46.44
Employment
5,850
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.12 | 4.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.88 |
| Mathematics | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.25 |
| Science | 3.88 | 4.38 |
| Active Listening | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | 3.75 | 4.50 |
| Speaking | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.75 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
- Prepare reports or presentations describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
- 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.
- Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
- Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
Technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Advanced Logic Technology WellCAD
- Amtec Engineering Tecplot
- Argus ONE Open Numerical Environments
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D
- Autodesk Land Desktop
- Bentley MicroStation
- Bentley Systems gINT
- Biodegration flow and transport modeling software
- BOSS International Visual Groundwater
- C++
Hydrologists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Hydrologists Salary in CAMedian $122,110 · Employment 540
- Hydrologists Salary in AZMedian $86,700 · Employment 400
- Hydrologists Salary in OHMedian $98,200 · Employment 390
- Hydrologists Salary in COMedian $100,840 · Employment 360
- Hydrologists Salary in WAMedian $105,600 · Employment 350
- Hydrologists Salary in MNMedian $94,580 · Employment 300
- Hydrologists Salary in ORMedian $93,690 · Employment 300
- Hydrologists Salary in FLMedian $76,850 · Employment 280
- Hydrologists Salary in Phoenix, AZMedian $90,000 · Employment 260
- Hydrologists Salary in TXMedian $81,080 · Employment 220
- Hydrologists Salary in Minneapolis, MNMedian $94,580 · Employment 210
- Hydrologists Salary in MTMedian $84,500 · Employment 190
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.