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What is a hydrogeologist and how to become one
Hydrogeologists study the movement of water around the Earth. They study the way all forms of precipitation affect water areas and rivers. They check how this water evaporates into the atmosphere. Basically, as a hydrogeologist, you'll be studying the effect of water on its immediate environment and how a change in a particular place affects the amount and quality of water.
As you work in this field, expect to be delegated the responsibility of collecting samples from soil and water to check for some properties and analyze their effects on the environment. You should also be ready to forecast events that deal with water, such as scarcity, flood, etc.
Skills required include good communication skills (written and verbal), analytical mindset, mathematical skills, interpersonal skills, and experience with using digital mapping software. The educational qualification needed is a bachelor's degree in Geoscience or engineering or any related field. On average, Hydrogeologists earn $61,088 per year.
What's a day at work look like for a Hydrogeologist?
Richard Tollo Ph.D.
Professor of Geology, George Washington University
Avg. Salary $74,733
Avg. Salary $59,228
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.62%
Asian 4.28%
Black or African American 1.08%
Hispanic or Latino 6.84%
Unknown 4.79%
White 82.39%
Genderfemale 22.70%
male 77.30%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Hydrogeologist career paths
Key steps to become a hydrogeologist
Explore hydrogeologist education requirements
Start to develop specific hydrogeologist skills
Skills 
Percentages Surface Water 10.01% Oversight 9.32% Data Collection 8.74% GIS 6.88% Technical Reports 6.87% Complete relevant hydrogeologist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hydrogeologists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a hydrogeologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hydrogeologist resumes.Research hydrogeologist duties and responsibilities
- Manage a Superfund site remediation project in western Washington.
- Manage projects involving assessment and remediation of soil and groundwater.
- Manage assessment and early detection groundwater monitoring programs at several Ohio municipal landfills.
- Increase the utility of commercial statistical analysis software by integrating it with USGS data systems and adding graphical analysis capabilities.
Prepare your hydrogeologist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hydrogeologist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a hydrogeologist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Hydrogeologist Resume templates
Build a professional Hydrogeologist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Hydrogeologist resume.
Apply for hydrogeologist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a hydrogeologist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Hydrogeologist Job
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Average hydrogeologist salary
The average Hydrogeologist salary in the United States is $74,733 per year or $36 per hour. Hydrogeologist salaries range between $52,000 and $106,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do hydrogeologists rate their job?
Hydrogeologist reviews
Great opportunities to work part time out in the field, and part time in the office doing advanced computer work.
Stressful at times, but rewarding when successful.
Combination of field and office work, be able to complete the project from start to end
Low paying job if you work for a small company
Updated January 8, 2025
