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The differences between hydrogeologists and geologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a hydrogeologist and a geologist. Additionally, a geologist has an average salary of $111,878, which is higher than the $74,733 average annual salary of a hydrogeologist.
The top three skills for a hydrogeologist include surface water, oversight and data collection. The most important skills for a geologist are oversight, OSHA, and data collection.
| Hydrogeologist | Geologist | |
| Yearly salary | $74,733 | $111,878 |
| Hourly rate | $35.93 | $53.79 |
| Growth rate | - | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,154 | 869 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A hydrogeologist specializes in studying and examining the movement of groundwater in different areas. Their job focuses on gathering and analyzing samples, monitoring the quality and distribution of water, conducting risk assessments, and creating visual models using various tools and software. Through their research findings, a hydrogeologist can develop recommendations and strategies that various programs and projects can utilize for their operations. A hydrogeologist can find employment opportunities in education, construction and mining companies, and government agencies.
A Geologist studies the composition, structure, and history of the earth's crust. They may work for private industries, the federal government, colleges and universities, or museums.
Hydrogeologists and geologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hydrogeologist | Geologist | |
| Average salary | $74,733 | $111,878 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $106,000 | Between $63,000 And $196,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Ramon, CA | El Paso, TX |
| Highest paying state | California | Texas |
| Best paying company | Chevron | Devon Energy |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Energy |
There are a few differences between a hydrogeologist and a geologist in terms of educational background:
| Hydrogeologist | Geologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Geology | Geology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between hydrogeologists' and geologists' demographics:
| Hydrogeologist | Geologist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 82.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 1.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 81.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |