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The differences between water resources engineers and hydrologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a water resources engineer, becoming a hydrologist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a hydrologist has an average salary of $92,871, which is higher than the $80,432 average annual salary of a water resources engineer.
The top three skills for a water resources engineer include hec ras, hydrologic and civil engineering. The most important skills for a hydrologist are water resources, data collection, and surface water.
| Water Resources Engineer | Hydrologist | |
| Yearly salary | $80,432 | $92,871 |
| Hourly rate | $38.67 | $44.65 |
| Growth rate | 4% | - |
| Number of jobs | 38,911 | 6,175 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A water resource engineer develops new systems and equipment for a water resource management facility. You will be responsible for dealing with the provision for wastewater and sewage disposal, and prevention of flood damage. Your job may involve building, repairing, and maintaining structures for water resource control such as reservoirs and sea defense walls, and designing flood defense programs and sewer improvement plans. In addition, you are also expected to prepare tender documents and liaising with different individuals and agencies, including government agencies, local authorities, and contractors.
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.
Water resources engineers and hydrologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Water Resources Engineer | Hydrologist | |
| Average salary | $80,432 | $92,871 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $111,000 | Between $63,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Silver Spring, MD |
| Highest paying state | California | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | Shell |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a water resources engineer and a hydrologist in terms of educational background:
| Water Resources Engineer | Hydrologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Geology |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of California, Berkeley |
Here are the differences between water resources engineers' and hydrologists' demographics:
| Water Resources Engineer | Hydrologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.0% Female, 18.0% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 4% |