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.

Most important skills

Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Mathematics
Science
Complex Problem Solving
Writing
Speaking

Key knowledge

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

What the work involves

Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.
Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.
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.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (63.6% of expert ratings)
Related experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (33.3%)
On-the-job training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months (27.3%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Hydrologists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 98% of occupations compared	32% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others about half the time”
Dealing with the public	Moderate	Lower on dealing with the public than 52% of occupations compared	32% of surveyed respondents chose “Important”
Teamwork	Moderate	Lower on teamwork than 56% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Freedom to make decisions	High	Higher on freedom to make decisions than 67% of occupations compared	68% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Very low	Lower on time pressure than 95% of occupations compared	59% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Conflict situations	Very low	Lower on conflict situations than 90% of occupations compared	68% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Very low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 96% of occupations compared	67% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Very low	Lower on consequence of error than 80% of occupations compared	43% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: very low
Conflict situations: very low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
Consequence of error: very low

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions