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The differences between hydrogeologists and water engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a hydrogeologist, becoming a water engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a water engineer has an average salary of $98,752, 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 water engineer are infrastructure, cost estimates, and GIS.
| Hydrogeologist | Water Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $74,733 | $98,752 |
| Hourly rate | $35.93 | $47.48 |
| Growth rate | - | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 2,154 | 8,851 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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 water engineer is responsible for performing a wide range of duties. They supply, manage and maintain both wastewater and clean water services to avert flood damage. They are in charge of preparing environmental documents for regulatory program compliance, water resources, fieldwork, data analysis, and management. They also provide technical direction to various technical personnel such as junior engineers, computer-aided design technicians, and other technicians.
Hydrogeologists and water engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hydrogeologist | Water Engineer | |
| Average salary | $74,733 | $98,752 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $106,000 | Between $69,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Ramon, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Chevron | Chevron |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a hydrogeologist and a water engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hydrogeologist | Water Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Geology | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Duke University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between hydrogeologists' and water engineers' demographics:
| Hydrogeologist | Water Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.3% Female, 22.7% | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% |
| 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, 3.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 13.1% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 13% |