What companies hire hydrologists?

Companies in education, government, and engineering hire hydrologists. Typically, hydrologists hold at least a bachelor's degree, although there are some careers where they may need more education. Those who are interested in working in research and education can choose to pursue a doctorate in physical science or a related field, then teach at universities.

How To Become A Hydrologist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a hydrologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Experts

Aaron Haines Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist ®,

Dr. Rebecca Jordan

A hydrologist is a scientist who studies water. They research the circulation, distribution, and physical properties of underground and surface water. Hydrologists help other scientists clean up and preserve the environment. They help in the search for groundwater. They collect surface or groundwater, monitor data to support projects, and work with local, state, and federal agencies on water resource issues. A hydrologist processes meteorological, snow, and hydrologic data. They may also install and maintain water projects and water quality instrumentation.

To become a hydrologist, you need a bachelor's degree in hydrology, geoscience, environmental science, or engineering. If you want to advance your career, consider a doctoral or master's degree. You will need a license issued by the state or a certification from the American Institute of Hydrology. Five years of experience will also be needed to be a hydrologist. You can make a median salary of $75,000 to $92,000.

What general advice would you give to a Hydrologist?

Aaron Haines Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist ®

Professor of Biology, Website

Having more technical skill sets can help you get entry level positions that can lead to higher pay positions. These include the ability to extract DNA from biological samples and understand the process of DNA sequencing, be familiar with geographical information systems (GIS) software such as ArcPro, ArcGIS, QGIS, be familiar with programming language such as Phyton and R statical programming, and government policies that impact your field of study.

Be a member of a professional organization and attend their conferences. This will allow you the opportunity to learn from others, network, and meet potential future employers.

ScoreHydrologistUS Average

Salary

7.3

Avg. Salary $92,871

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

3.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.59%

Asian 5.74%

Black or African American 0.91%

Hispanic or Latino 6.39%

Unknown 4.70%

White 81.66%

Gender

female 26.98%

male 73.02%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.7

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.4

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a hydrologist

Explore hydrologist education requirements

Most common hydrologist degrees

Bachelor's

69.4 %

Master's

21.1 %

Associate

4.6 %

Start to develop specific hydrologist skills

Skills	Percentages
Water Resources	14.39%
Data Collection	8.63%
Surface Water	7.24%
Technical Reports	6.36%
GIS	5.52%

Complete relevant hydrologist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hydrologists 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 hydrologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hydrologist resumes.

Research hydrologist duties and responsibilities

Provide GIS support to groundwater modeling activities, including data analysis and manipulation, database construction, and cartography.
Help write multiple data reports for online publication, using a GIS to produce applicable maps.
Map boreholes and aquifers with ESRI ArcGIS to investigate spatial variability of hydrogeologic conditions.
Develop plans and specifications for remediation of asbestos and/or lead-base paint as required to complete the renovation or demolition activities.

Prepare your hydrologist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hydrologist 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 hydrologist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Hydrologist Resume templates

Build a professional Hydrologist 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 Hydrologist resume.

Apply for hydrologist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a hydrologist 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 do hydrologists rate their job?