Studies how water moves across and under the land, from floods to droughts.
You might measure river flow by wading in with a current meter, forecast spring snowmelt floods, or plan water supplies for a growing city. The USGS and state water agencies hire many hydrologists.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 5 years after high school. Bachelor's in geoscience, engineering, or environmental science; often a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Hydrology, Geology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI flood and snowmelt forecasts improve fast; wading rivers, gauges and water planning stay human.
Classes: Earth science, AP Calculus, AP Environmental 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.