Hydrogeologist
Impact: Environmental and Public Health
Hydrogeologists study the distribution, movement, and quality of groundwater. They investigate groundwater resources, analyze water samples, and develop solutions for water-related problems such as contamination, drought, and resource management. Their work often involves fieldwork, data analysis, and modeling to understand complex hydrological systems.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Balanced, with significant periods of both independent fieldwork/analysis and team-based project work.
- Client facing
- Always
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Frequent, for fieldwork, site visits, and conferences.
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 40-50 hours per week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $95,000
- Entry-level
- $65,000
- Senior
- $130,000
- Growth by 2033
- 7%
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $50,000 - $100,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Geological Surveying
- Hydrological Modeling
- Data Analysis
- GIS Software
- Environmental Regulations
Soft skills
- Problem-Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Master's degree
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8 years
- Years to senior
- 10-15 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Entry-level Hydrogeologist
- Senior Hydrogeologist
- Project Manager
- Environmental Consultant/Director
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 10%
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.5/10
- Meaning
- 8.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 6.5/10
- Prestige
- 8.5/10
- Social perception
- Very High