What does a hydrogeologist do?
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.
Hydrogeologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real hydrogeologist resumes:
- Manage a Superfund site remediation project in western Washington.
- Manage projects involving assessment and remediation of soil and groundwater.
- Manage assessment and early detection groundwater monitoring programs at several Ohio municipal landfills.
- Increase the utility of commercial statistical analysis software by integrating it with USGS data systems and adding graphical analysis capabilities.
- Work with ArcGIS and FlowMod for modeling.
- Report preparation & review, & litigation support.
- Complete two FEMA floodplain map revisions (LOMR).
- Project manager for semi-annual sampling at an active hazardous waste landfill.
- Head GPS and transit level surveys and used data to improve and adjust stream gage datum information as needed.
- Review projects for compliance with NFIP regulations and whether to require a CLOMR/LOMR for FEMA floodway or floodplain changes.
- Field responsibilities include: overseeing drilling operations, logging borings, sampling soil and water according to ASTM guidelines.
- Perform GIS analysis of spatial data to identify areas at high risk of storm water erosion to prioritize resource management efforts.
- Produce quarterly reports and presentations for funding cooperators as well as for the joint initiatives for which the USGS is involved.
- Conduct groundwater analysis and ensure compliance with EPA protocols.
- Link database to GIS projects to investigate plume migration analysis for litigation.
Hydrogeologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Hydrogeologists are proficient in Surface Water, Oversight, and Data Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Hydrogeologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Surface Water, 10%
Authored numerous technical reports describing aquifer systems, and availability and geochemistry of groundwater and surface water resources.
- Oversight, 9%
Field activities included: excavation oversight and confirmatory and stockpile sampling.
- Data Collection, 9%
Performed data collection and analysis and prepared technical reports for ecological and water resource studies, environmental assessments and permit applications.
- GIS, 7%
Performed GIS analysis of spatial data to identify areas at high risk of storm water erosion to prioritize resource management efforts.
- Technical Reports, 7%
Prepare technical reports on site sampling/monitoring for regulatory agencies and clients.
- Water Resources, 7%
Authored Departmental policy positions for protecting water resources and responded to legislative inquiry.
Common skills that a hydrogeologist uses to do their job include "surface water," "oversight," and "data collection." You can find details on the most important hydrogeologist responsibilities below.
Physical stamina. The most essential soft skill for a hydrogeologist to carry out their responsibilities is physical stamina. This skill is important for the role because "when they are in the field, hydrologists may need to hike to remote locations while carrying testing and sampling equipment." Additionally, a hydrogeologist resume shows how their duties depend on physical stamina: "utilized geographic information systems (gis) to; o delineate physical characteristics of water bodies and associated watersheds. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform hydrogeologist duties is analytical skills. Hydrogeologists responsibilities require that "hydrologists need to analyze data collected in the field and examine the results of laboratory tests." Hydrogeologists also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "work performed also included supervision of groundwater monitoring activities and an extensive water quality database of over 170 monitor wells. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of hydrogeologists is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday hydrogeologist duties, as "hydrologists prepare detailed reports that document their research methods and findings." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provided background and justification information to ensure new products were added to nws communication system for field operations. "
The three companies that hire the most hydrogeologists are:
- SRK Consulting
11 hydrogeologists jobs
- Stantec7 hydrogeologists jobs
- AECOM5 hydrogeologists jobs
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Compare different hydrogeologists
Hydrogeologist vs. Assistant groundwater engineer
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, hydrogeologist responsibilities require skills like "surface water," "oversight," "data collection," and "visualization." Meanwhile a typical assistant groundwater engineer has skills in areas such as "local regulations," "query results," "program design," and "environmental impacts." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, assistant groundwater engineers reach lower levels of education than hydrogeologists. Assistant groundwater engineers are 20.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Hydrogeologist vs. Environmental scientist
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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real hydrogeologist resumes. While hydrogeologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "visualization," "water resources," "python," and "groundwater flow," environmental scientists use skills like "osha," "hazwoper," "federal regulations," and "hazardous waste."
Environmental scientists earn a lower average salary than hydrogeologists. But environmental scientists earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $72,955. Additionally, hydrogeologists earn the highest salaries in the utilities with average pay of $85,691 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Environmental scientists tend to reach lower levels of education than hydrogeologists. In fact, they're 8.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hydrogeologist vs. Research hydrologist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a hydrogeologist is likely to be skilled in "surface water," "oversight," "data collection," and "visualization," while a typical research hydrologist is skilled in "data collection plan," "water balance," "control plan," and "management data."
Research hydrologists typically earn similar educational levels compared to hydrogeologists. Specifically, they're 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 24.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hydrogeologist vs. Geologist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between hydrogeologists and geologists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a hydrogeologist might have more use for skills like "visualization," "water resources," "python," and "project management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of geologists require skills like "osha," "sample collection," "remediation projects," and "data interpretation. "
Geologists enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $139,464. For comparison, hydrogeologists earn the highest salary in the utilities industry.geologists reach lower levels of education compared to hydrogeologists, in general. The difference is that they're 6.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of hydrogeologist
Updated January 8, 2025
