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Job outlook for hydrogeologists in the United States
Are hydrogeologist jobs in demand?
Hydrogeologist job and salary trends over time
Hydrogeologist jobs over time
Hydrogeologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,342 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,235 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,351 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,260 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,281 | 0.00% |
Average hydrogeologist salary over time
Hydrogeologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,733 | $35.93 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $72,270 | $34.75 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $70,580 | $33.93 | --0.8% |
| 2023 | $71,132 | $34.20 | --0.6% |
| 2022 | $71,567 | $34.41 | +1.2% |
Hydrogeologist jobs by state
Most common states for hydrogeologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 35 | 5% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 34 | 5% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 50 | 4% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 29 | 4% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 123 | 2% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 87 | 2% |
| 7 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 34 | 2% |
| 8 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 26 | 2% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 21 | 2% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 16 | 2% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 13 | 2% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 12 | 2% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 484 | 1% |
| 14 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 278 | 1% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 99 | 1% |
| 16 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 89 | 1% |
| 17 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 53 | 1% |
| 18 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 47 | 1% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 40 | 1% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 23 | 1% |
Most common cities for hydrogeologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bel Air South | 1 | 2% | $59,774 |
| 2 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $79,148 |
| 3 | Shelton | 1 | 2% | $63,237 |
| 4 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $79,491 |
| 5 | Sugar Land | 1 | 1% | $74,846 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $59,517 |
| 7 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $90,130 |
| 8 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $71,464 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $79,476 |
| 10 | Oakland | 1 | 0% | $95,396 |
Hydrogeologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of hydrogeologist experts
East Carolina University
Gonzaga University
American Institute of Professional Geologists
Southern Utah University
Lafayette College
Kennesaw State University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Concordia University
Baylor University
The University of Memphis
Illinois State University
Louisiana State University
George Washington University
University of Notre Dame
Arizona State University
George Mason University
What will help Hydrogeologists increase their earning potential?
David Mallinson PhD: We’re seeing many of our graduates going into the field of hydrogeology. Take hydrology/hydrogeology courses that provide hands-on experience in the field and laboratory. Some universities (ECU for example) offer certificates in various disciplines that will help (e.g., Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Geographic Information Science, etc.). Take advantage of those. GIS is a must in geological work these days and is in high demand in the job market. Get some fundamental background in geochemistry and geophysics. Some of our students are getting work in coastal settings with consulting firms doing geophysical surveys on land and water (with the acceleration of erosion, emplacement of offshore wind turbines, coastal construction, etc.) so some background knowledge in geophysical survey methods (seismic, sonar, GPR, etc.) can help. There’s increasing emphasis on mineral exploration to meet the demand for green energy and high-tech electronics (Li, Cd, REEs, etc.) so an understanding of economic geology combined with a good mineralogy and petrology background, field mapping and sampling, and GIS can help here.
Dr. Greg Gordon Professor/Chair
Professor/ChairGonzaga University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What will help Hydrogeologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Greg Gordon Professor/Chair: We find that graphical information systems (GIS) skills are in high demand. Soft skills such as ability to work as a team, develop work plans, collaborate and communicate with diverse stakeholders, communicate technical and scientific information, are, and will be very important in the near and long term future.
What Hydrogeologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aaron Haines Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist ®: The current most prevalent skill sets and qualifications for students interested in the ecology and environmental fields include good communication through speaking and writing. It is important to be able to communicate as an effective team member, communicate with private landowners, volunteers, and to the public for education purposes. Writing skills will be important for correctly recording data, completing certifications, helping to write grants (and other fundraising efforts) and completing reports.
Be in good physical condition to complete fieldwork and gather data. Sometimes you will be deep in the field and off-trail. The better shape you are in, the better your ability to deal with hot, cold, or humid weather conditions and bothersome insects. Physical exhaustion leads to increased errors in the field.
When in the field, certain professions prefer combinations of the following skills: Use of GPS units, ability to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles and/or ATVs, boating experience, chainsaw, herbicide and pesticide application, identification of flora and fauna, ability access soil and water quality, and prescribed fire experience.
Have standard IT skills to gather data via phone or tablet and be familiar with standard programs such as WORD, EXCEL, and ACCESS.
Future skills will include the ability to gather data remotely from the field (e.g., Lidar spatial data, acoustic recordings, remote cameras, drone data, eDNA) and onto the Could. It will also be beneficial to speak more than one language and be able to develop a strong web presence for your project and organization.
Christine Lilek
Vice President National AIPGAmerican Institute of Professional Geologists
What skills stand out on Hydrogeologist resumes?
Christine Lilek: -BS in Environmental Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology; MS is a plus or equivalent experience.
-G.I.T. (Geologist In Training) or Early Career Professional (from AIPG) is desirable; CPG (from AIPG) or -State PG, or ability to obtain such credential is a plus.
-Excellent computer skills with MS Office, MS Project, PowerPoint, and other computer applications, GIS, and AutoCAD experience are a plus.
-OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification is desirable
-Documentation of environmental sustainability projects
-Documentation of diversity and inclusion policy implementation
What soft skills should all Hydrogeologists possess?
Christine Lilek: -Ability to build strong relationships with partners and clients concerning their technical area and the broader business objectives.
-Ability to communicate technical information with clients, engineers and scientists, government regulators and agencies, and academia, as well as non-technical communication to the public.
-Ability to build and maintain productive professional and personal networking relationships.
-Ability to interact professionally with a client and subcontractor representatives.
-Ability to understand and follow all applicable health and safety policies and procedures.
-Ability to understand and follow all established industry standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines to complete projects.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Hydrogeologists?
Christine Lilek: -List all your field sampling techniques you have practiced (groundwater and surface water sampling, wastewater sampling, solid/hazardous waste sampling, sediment sampling, soil sampling, soil vapor sampling, air sampling, environmental drilling and logging, and windshield surveys).
-List the various environmental and engineering permits and regulatory compliance reporting documents you have completed for class or as an intern (air permits, stormwater, and wastewater permits, air emissions inventories, hazardous material inventories, and toxic release inventories)
-List the various office tasks you have practiced or completed as an intern (reviewing environmental regulations and guidance documents; reviewing requests for proposals and professional qualifications; tabulating and interpreting environmental and engineering data; preparing cost estimates, proposals, and technical memorandums; and communicating with project managers and support team on project progress).
What skills will help Hydrogeologists earn the most?
Christine Lilek: -Demonstrate initiatives and projects you have completed by collaborating with teams. Team leadership skills are highly desirable. Being able to self-motivate and complete an individual project is also very important.
-Demonstrate and be able to provide examples of successful presentations and proposals provided to clients and regulators.
-Demonstrate your ability to travel and successfully work at remote project sites, including an extended assignment.
-Demonstrate strong and clear communication, writing, time management, and organizational skills.
-Demonstrate good problem-solving skills and willingness to respond to instruction.
Jason Kaiser Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Geology, Department Chair - GeosciencesSouthern Utah University
Geoscience Department
What skills stand out on Hydrogeologist resumes?
Jason Kaiser Ph.D.: Resumes are as diverse as the career paths within the Geosciences. Those entering the field for the first time may be applying to a variety of different jobs, each with distinct requirements. Important skills that stand out are those related to communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. Employers are looking for young scientists who can work in teams to solve complex problems and effectively communicate those solutions. Providing evidence of these skills is crucial on any resume. I often advise students to illustrate these skills by highlighting research experience on their resumes. This tactic was especially successful when that research experience was a part of a team and was presented at some professional venue like a geologic conference.
What soft skills should all Hydrogeologists possess?
Jason Kaiser Ph.D.: As with the previous answer, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills are vital. As with any scientist, a geologist should be a good learner. We train our students to be good researchers. With such a diversity in career options for students, we can only provide the foundation in our classes. Students must develop solid research skills to be able to add to their base knowledge areas and progress in their chosen field within the Geosciences.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Hydrogeologists?
Jason Kaiser Ph.D.: Geology is a diverse discipline with a large variety of career paths. Important technical skills in one field of study may be irrelevant in another. For example, analyzing mineral compositions is crucial in a mine but is of little interest to a geologist trying to determine the extent of a flood plain along a reach of a river. With such a diversity of career paths and technical skills, we focus on foundational knowledge and technical skills in a number of key areas like rock/mineral identification and classification, rock mechanics and deformation characteristics, sediment transport and deposition, and surface/groundwater characteristics. We also provide training in geospatial technologies that pull multiple knowledge areas together. Our goal at SUU is to create a well-rounded scientist that would be a productive staff geologist in any number of careers.
What skills will help Hydrogeologists earn the most?
Jason Kaiser Ph.D.: I think many of the skills that I discussed in previous answers apply here as well. The key thing to understand is that any student, with any combination of these skills (both technical and non-technical skills), can be successful in the Geosciences. The field has incredibly diverse career paths and is in desperate need of young scientists with diverse skills and backgrounds to match.
Dru Germanosk Ph.D.
Dr. Ervin R. VanArtsdalen Professor of GeologyLafayette College
Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
What skills stand out on Hydrogeologist resumes?
Dru Germanosk Ph.D.: We base our Environmental science program on a solid science foundation, including calculus and chemistry and foundational courses in Biology, Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Geology, and Hydrology, as well as environmental engineering and environmental studies.
Dr. Dan Ferreira Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Environmental ScienceKennesaw State University
Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
What Hydrogeologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Dan Ferreira Ph.D.: I think the best advice I can offer recent graduates is to be as flexible as possible. Being willing to relocate, for example, vastly expands the number of potential jobs they can apply to. Applying for positions that might not be exactly where they want to go, but might give them the experience or skills they need to get to their desired career after a year or two also will help open more doors. So if you can't find your ideal job right away, consider that internship or volunteer opportunity that will make you more marketable in the future.
Joseph Niederhauser Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyWest Virginia Wesleyan College
Department of Biology and Environmental Science
What hard/technical skills are most important for Hydrogeologists?
Joseph Niederhauser Ph.D.: Data collection, management, and analysis skills. Specifically, knowing how to design experiments, collect different kinds of data, creating or maintaining a database for samples, and analyzing changes over time or the impact of those data.
Dr. Pascale Biron Ph.D.
ProfessorConcordia University
Department of Geography, Planning and Environment
What hard/technical skills are most important for Hydrogeologists?
Dr. Pascale Biron Ph.D.: - Geographical Information Systems, remote sensing, and geospatial data analysis
- Statistics
- Computer programming
What skills will help Hydrogeologists earn the most?
Dr. Pascale Biron Ph.D.: - Solid, interdisciplinary, environmental foundations in sustainability from a science perspective
- Tools to solve practical problems in the field of environmental science, including programming, geospatial
technologies and statistics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hydrogeologists?
Dr. Stacy Atchley Ph.D.: Within the environmental sector, unlikely. Within the energy (hydrocarbon) sector we've already experienced a major contraction tied to decreased global energy consumption.....related to decreased commerce (industrial) and transportation activity. As the nation (and world) open up as the pandemic winds down, economic and transportation activity will rebound....and require hydrocarbons to fuel that activity. Given the pandemic-related contraction of the sector (and related layoffs), there won't be existing staff to manage associated project growth. This will likely (may) result in significant hiring beginning in the next couple of years or so.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Hydrogeologists?
Dr. Stacy Atchley Ph.D.: National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) exam. Required, particularly in the environmental sector, to certify geoscience competencies.
What will help Hydrogeologists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stacy Atchley Ph.D.: Graduate degrees (M.S. and/or PhD); geospatial numerical modeling skills and associated expertise in data analytics (geostatistics, including machine learning and related artificial intelligence).
Daniel Larsen
Professor of Earth SciencesThe University of Memphis
Department of Earth Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hydrogeologist job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Larsen: The job market in our region is soft in geology, but recent graduates have found employment at government agencies (state environmental divisions, and state and federal surveys) and environmental and engineering consulting firms. I expect these trends to continue. Energy and mineral industries are conducting little hiring in our region, and I expect this trend to continue during pandemic and under the current federal administration.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Hydrogeologists?
Daniel Larsen: Expectations for geology job candidates include traditional geologic training as well as environmental and hydrogeology background, and skills using GIS, spatial analysis, spreadsheet and some modeling programs, depending on disciple of hiring. State licensure and GIS and OSHA certifications are desirable.
What's a good job out of college for Hydrogeologists?
Daniel Larsen: At the Bachelors level, typical entry-level jobs include environmental technicians and specialists (state environmental divisions), and mud loggers in the petroleum industry. At the Masters level, typical jobs include entry-level environmental project managers or support staff, higher level technical staff at state environmental divisions, and entry-level state and federal survey positions, as well as mud loggers and entry-level positions in the petroleum industry.
Dr. David Malone Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of GeologyIllinois State University
Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hydrogeologist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. David Malone Ph.D.: I assume that you mean the job market for Geology? Oil and gas are in terrible shape. Even the big companies are enduring a great many layoffs. Minerals, and in particular gold, are getting hotter. I have had a number of companies ask about interns and permanent positions of our students. Construction (geotechnical) and environmental consulting companies are doing really well.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Hydrogeologists?
Dr. David Malone Ph.D.: Most entry-level Geology positions don't require special certification or licenses. The Certified Professional Geologist license comes further down the road after some experience is gained. This is most important to environmental consulting companies.
What's a good job out of college for Hydrogeologists?
Dr. David Malone Ph.D.: Any job is a good job out of college! Geology is broad enough, and our graduates are highly sought enough, that puts us in the favorable position of having more leads than students to pursue them. Most folks would prefer to begin with a couple of years far from Illinois that requires a fair amount of field work and travel. This is not universal. Some folks prefer to stay in Illinois and work from a desk or lab. About half of our graduates go on to graduate school for further specialization when they finish up here.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hydrogeologist job market given the pandemic?
Peter Clift: A significant reduction in opportunities within oil and gas.
What technical skills for a Hydrogeologist stand out to employers?
Peter Clift: I think that having a broad-based education may be more important so that you can be more adaptable to the various different opportunities. Less specialized broad-based geological education is likely to increase your employability across a wide range of alternative careers. I still think that higher degrees such as Masters or PhD may be useful in sharing your usefulness to a potential employer with advances in environmental consulting, mining geology or in the overlap between engineering and geology. I think anyone planning a career in the geosciences probably needs to be thinking at least about taking a Masters degree.
What's a good job out of college for Hydrogeologists?
Peter Clift: Over the coming years I could see that engineering geology including coastal engineering and river management may become more important to geoscience graduates with an increasing interest in carbon capture rather than in the traditional oil industry. Environmental geology is likely to remain strong and increasing field as well.
Richard Tollo Ph.D.
Professor of GeologyGeorge Washington University
Geological Sciences Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hydrogeologists?
Richard Tollo Ph.D.: Yes, very much. Courses that normally involve field studies and work with specimens of rocks and minerals, all staples of standard geology curriculum, have been curtailed, limited to online-only, or cancelled. Graduates will not have the normal background upon gradation.
What's a day at work look like for a Hydrogeologist?
Richard Tollo Ph.D.: Not much different except for social distancing, as necessary.
What technical skills for a Hydrogeologist stand out to employers?
Richard Tollo Ph.D.: For geology, scientific reasoning, problem solving, and the ability to communicate are highly desired by employers.
What skills stand out on Hydrogeologist resumes?
Dominic Chaloner Ph.D.: Familiarity with remote sensing and other similar approaches and techniques to generate data efficiently and rapidly; coding to wrangle big datasets into a form that they can be used, and then modeling to make projections using those datasets.
Dr. Becky A. Ball
Associate Professor, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of SustainabilityArizona State University
Barrett Honors Faculty
What skills stand out on Hydrogeologist resumes?
Dr. Becky A. Ball: The environmental field is very broad, so the skills that stand out best depend on the career field, but in general, the skills I see most frequently listed on job ads are skills in geographic spatial analysis (GIS), statistical analyses and data handling, hands-on experience with field techniques for working with plants and wildlife, and experience with NEPA and other related environmental regulations. (That's why we have built all of these skills directly into our Environmental Science degree coursework!)
A. Alonso Aguirre Ph.D.
Department Chair & ProfessorGeorge Mason University
Environmental Science and Policy
How would you rate the starting salaries for Hydrogeologists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
A. Alonso Aguirre Ph.D.: Salaries will be great, depending on skills and area of expertise; they can go for as low as $40k as a zookeeper/tech to $100k wind turbine/solar photovoltaic tech. Specialized training with an MS or Ph.D. degree can get you starting salaries around $70k