Occupations/19-2043.00
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.
Usually a graduate or professional degree.
AI automation risk
49%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
45%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
32%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- Task
Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- Task
Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
The tasks we can read here lean on people, judgment, or hands-on work. The AI risk number is still this job’s rank against other occupations.
Core tasks
- 01Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- 02Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
- 03Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
- 04Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
- 05Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- 06Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.70
- Degree of automation1.82
- Time sitting3.86
- Originality (ability)3.25
- Conflict situations2.22
- Hands-on objects/tools2.30
- Outdoors / weather3.09
- Disease exposure1.22
- Decision freedom4.14
Top abilities
- Written Expression4.00
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Problem Sensitivity3.88
- Mathematical Reasoning3.88
- Inductive Reasoning3.88
- Deductive Reasoning3.88
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.88
- Active Listening3.88
- Writing3.62
- Speaking3.75
- Mathematics3.75
- Science3.88
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.62
- Learning Strategies3.00
- Monitoring3.50
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 61 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Kansas Lawrence, KS · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $11,400 | 88% | 67% | 1 yr $106,421 2 yr — Master's · CIP 40.06 |
Houston Community College Houston, TX · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $4,300 | 100% | 24% | 1 yr $82,440 2 yr $71,015 Master's · CIP 40.06 |
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $11,700 | 31% | 88% | 1 yr $75,518 2 yr $81,702 Master's · CIP 40.06 |
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $13,200 | 63% | 83% | 1 yr $69,469 2 yr — Master's · CIP 40.06 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $12,600 | 48% | 84% | 1 yr $66,153 2 yr $59,485 Master's · CIP 40.06 |
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $13,200 | 87% | 66% | 1 yr $65,238 2 yr — Doctoral · CIP 40.06 |
Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $1,200 | 100% | 39% | 1 yr $57,318 2 yr — Doctoral · CIP 40.06 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $53,424 2 yr $51,665 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $49,270 2 yr $53,358 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $6,500 | 25% | 84% | 1 yr $48,823 2 yr $38,289 Master's · CIP 40.06 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $48,432 2 yr — Master's · CIP 40.06 |
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public | Geology/Earth Science, General 40.0601 | $7,100 | 40% | 74% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr $42,682 Bachelor's · CIP 40.06 |