Also called: Hydrometeorologist, NWS River Forecast Center Hydrologist
Forecasts river levels and floods by combining weather forecasts, snowpack, and stream data.
At a National Weather Service River Forecast Center, a hydrologist runs computer models after a big storm, predicts when a river will crest, and briefs emergency managers deciding on evacuations.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in hydrology, civil engineering, or meteorology; many have a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Meteorology.
Growing about average. A small, specialized federal workforce.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI weather and river models now rival physics models; forecasters shift to checking models and warning towns, with fewer slots.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Calculus, Earth science, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2043.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.