Compliance Officers
Median wage · national
$80,730
Range: $61K – $109K
Employed
417K
Openings/yr
33K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Hydrologists
Hydrologists earn $96,600 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $77,210 and $122,830. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About 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.
- Median Wage
- $96,600
- Employed Nationally
- 6K
- Openings / Year
- 500
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Groundwater Consultant
Hydraulic Engineer
Hydrogeologist
Hydrologic Engineer
Hydrologist
How Much Do Hydrologists Make?
Hydrologists earn $96,600 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,210 and $122,830. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$96,600
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$77K–$123K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$77,210
Entry-level
$96,600
Median
$122,830
Experienced
What Do Hydrologists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Hydrologists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Science
Mathematics
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Hydrologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Hydrologists?
The BLS projects -0.1% employment change for Hydrologists through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -0.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
6K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Hydrologists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $96,600 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 670 | $118,960 | +23.1% |
| 2 | Arizona | 320 | $76,420 | -20.9% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 300 | $90,500 | -6.3% |
| 4 | Oregon | 280 | $92,750 | -4.0% |
| 5 | Colorado | 270 | $116,000 | +20.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Hydrologists positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geosciences | 7,691 | $60,190 | 592 |
| 2 | Environmental Geosciences | 102 | — | 15 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Hydrologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Hydrologists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Hydrologists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Hydrologists Pros & Cons
Hydrologists has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 2 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $96,600 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $122,830 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -0.1% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
- Extensive preparation before reaching full earning potential This is a Job Zone 5 occupation, extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $96,600 median while building the experience employers require.
Hydrologists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Hydrologists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Hydrologists is $96,600, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,210 and $122,830. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Hydrologists a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -0.1% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $96,600 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How long does it take to become a Hydrologists?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Geosciences are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $96,600 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Why are Hydrologists jobs declining?
The BLS projects -0.1% employment change for Hydrologists through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 500 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 6K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
What skills do Hydrologists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Hydrologists roles: Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Science, and Mathematics. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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