1 | Career Snapshot (2024–25 U.S.)
- What they do: Hydrologists study the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth. They assess floods, droughts, and water quality issues to help governments, communities, and businesses manage this critical resource.
- Median annual pay (May 2023): $90,060
- Employment, 2023: ≈ 6,300
- Projected growth, 2022–32: +4% (steady demand)
- Average openings/year: ≈ 400
Why demand is rising: Climate change (flood/drought management), population growth, and increased demand for clean water.
2 | Core Responsibilities
3 | Where They Work
- Government Agencies: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, Bureau of Reclamation
- Private Sector: Engineering firms, utilities, water treatment companies, energy firms
- Research & Academia: University-based hydrology and climate centers
- NGOs & International Orgs: World Bank water projects, UNICEF water programs, International Water Association
4 | Salary Ladder (2025)
5 | Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s in Hydrology, Geoscience, Environmental Engineering: Entry-level field/lab roles
- Master’s in Hydrology/Water Resources: Typical for applied work & consulting
- Ph.D.: Needed for research, university teaching, and policy leadership
- Certifications: Professional Hydrologist (PH), GIS Certification, HAZWOPER
6 | Core Competencies
- Hydrologic modeling & simulation
- GIS & remote sensing
- Climate impact analysis
- Environmental law & compliance
- Stakeholder communication
7 | Key Trends (2025–2030)
- Flood Risk Planning: Climate-driven floodplain mapping and stormwater management
- Groundwater Depletion: Rising demand for aquifer management
- Water-Energy Nexus: Hydrologists collaborating on hydroelectric and renewable energy projects
- AI & Satellites: Machine learning applied to hydrologic forecasting
- Global Water Scarcity: International projects for water access and sanitation
8 | Potential Hiring Companies & Organizations
- Government: USGS, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA Water Center
- Engineering & Consulting: CH2M Hill, Jacobs, HDR, AECOM
- Energy & Utilities: Duke Energy, Southern Company, regional water utilities
- International Orgs: World Bank, United Nations Water, USAID
- NGOs: International Water Association, Water.org, CARE
9 | Pivot Pathways
10 | Burnout Buffer
- Alternate between field and office assignments
- Join interdisciplinary teams (engineers, policy makers) for variety
- Work on purpose-driven water access projects for motivation
11 | Is This Career Path Right for You?
If you enjoy problem-solving with real-world impact like predicting floods, managing droughts, and ensuring clean water—hydrology offers a deeply rewarding path. If you prefer entirely office-based work, the field component may be a challenge.
👉 Find out free: Take the MAPP Career Assessment to discover if water science matches your motivations.
