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The differences between hydrologists and environmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a hydrologist, becoming an environmental specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a hydrologist has an average salary of $92,871, which is higher than the $54,482 average annual salary of an environmental specialist.
The top three skills for a hydrologist include water resources, data collection and surface water. The most important skills for an environmental specialist are hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and hazardous materials.
| Hydrologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $92,871 | $54,482 |
| Hourly rate | $44.65 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | - | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 6,175 | 18,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A hydrologist studies the water systems' dynamics in the Earth's crust and uses the data to solve water maintenance issues, water scarcity, water management, water quality, and environmental effects on water systems. These professionals analyze concerns related to hydroelectric power plants, local water projects, and dam safety. Besides measuring water pollution levels, hydrologists also conduct fieldwork to gather soil samples and water samples. They determine water flow, water volume, and PH levels by measuring water properties.
Environmental specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.
Hydrologists and environmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hydrologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average salary | $92,871 | $54,482 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $135,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Silver Spring, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Shell | Texas Instruments |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a hydrologist and an environmental specialist in terms of educational background:
| Hydrologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Geology | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between hydrologists' and environmental specialists' demographics:
| Hydrologist | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 0.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 5.7% White, 81.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 16% |