Changing shape

Hydrologists

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.

AI Resistance Index 14 of 99

Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 14% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +1.5% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision.

AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.

Median pay (2025): $96,600
Job growth to 2035: +1.5%
Openings a year: 400
People doing it (2025): 6,300
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Research issues related to earth sciences
Present research or technical information
Communicate environmental or sustainability information

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Maintain operational records
Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities
Develop research plans or methodologies

What the work looks like

Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.
Prepare reports or presentations describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
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.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as automated processes replace hydrologists for some data analysis activities.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

ChemistsGrows with AI, Index 34, +6.4%
Life scientists, all otherGrows with AI, Index 30, +6.3%
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographersGrows with AI, Index 38, +5.1%
Materials scientistsGrows with AI, Index 35, +8.3%

Also known as: Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Research Hydrologist, Source Water Protection Specialist, Research Hydrologic Engineer.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.