Hydrologists
SOC Code: 19-2043 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Hydrologists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $67,101 | $103,459 | $139,797 | $176,155 |
| Salisbury, MD | $86,486 | $113,360 | $140,254 | $167,128 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $100,506 | $122,408 | $144,331 | $166,234 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $100,506 | $122,408 | $144,331 | $166,234 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $90,376 | $114,774 | $139,173 | $163,571 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $82,056 | $108,410 | $134,763 | $161,117 |
| Anchorage, AK | $74,152 | $103,147 | $132,122 | $161,117 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $107,640 | $124,613 | $141,565 | $158,538 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $101,275 | $120,120 | $138,986 | $157,830 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,810 | $113,610 | $134,430 | $155,230 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | 6 | $68,734 |
| Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Ed | 2 | $60,000 |
| Texas A&M AgriLife Research | 2 | $53,737 |
| The Water Institute of the Gulf | 2 | $62,192 |
| Omega Engineers, Inc. | 1 | $101,150 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | 1 | $52,104 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | $60,965 |
| 2021 | 2 | $60,000 |
| 2022 | 3 | $56,964 |
| 2023 | 3 | $59,751 |
| 2024 | 2 | $76,797 |
| 2025 | 3 | $77,603 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Science | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 | |
| Mathematics | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Active Learning | 3.6 | |
| Writing | 3.6 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.5 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.3 |
| Physics | 4.1 |
| Engineering and Technology | 4.0 |
| English Language | 3.9 |
| Geography | 3.9 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.5 |
| Chemistry | 3.4 |
| Biology | 3.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 52.2% |
| Bachelor's degree | 39.1% |
| Master's degree | 4.3% |
| Other | 4.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
- Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.
- Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
- Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
- Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.
- Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.
- Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Bentley MicroStation C++ ESRI ArcGIS software Microsoft Access Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Word Python R The MathWorks MATLAB
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