33
/100

SOC 19-2043

Hydrologists

ModerateFrey/Osborne: 1.4%

Risk Score

โš ๏ธ

33/100

Moderate

US Employment

๐Ÿ‘ฅ

5,720

Total workers

Median Wage

๐Ÿ’ฐ

$92K

$60K โ€“ $139K

Projected Growth

๐Ÿ“ˆ

-0.1%

2023-2033 (BLS)

GenAI Exposure

๐Ÿค–

76/100

High exposure

How we calculate these numbers โ†’

๐Ÿ’ก Hydrologists face a risk score of 33/100 โ€” 11 points below the national average of 44. With 76/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite weak projected growth. See our methodology โ†’

๐Ÿ’ก Workers in this field earn $92K ($46K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ†’

๐Ÿ” AI Impact Analysis

With a risk score of 33/100, Hydrologists faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai-powered research and literature review tools are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 5,720 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in collaborative scientific discourse and peer review and fieldwork in unstructured natural environments to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.

Will AI Replace Hydrologists?

Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ†’

โš ๏ธ Top Risk Factors

1

AI-powered research and literature review tools

2

Automated data interpretation and insight generation

3

Chatbot displacement of customer-facing interactions

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation

โœ“

Collaborative scientific discourse and peer review

โœ“

Fieldwork in unstructured natural environments

โœ“

Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise

โœ“

Designing novel experiments and research methodologies

๐Ÿ“Š Task Automation Breakdown

Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.

๐Ÿ“‹ O*NET Task Profile

โ€ข

Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.

โ€ข

Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.

โ€ข

Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.

โ€ข

Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.

โ€ข

Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.

๐Ÿ’ป Technology Skills

โ€ข

Computer aided design CAD software

โ€ข

Graphics or photo imaging software

โ€ข

Analytical or scientific software

โ€ข

Object or component oriented development software

โ€ข

Data base user interface and query software

๐ŸŽ“ Key Knowledge Areas

โ€ข

Mathematics

โ€ข

Physics

โ€ข

Engineering and Technology

โ€ข

English Language

โ€ข

Geography

๐Ÿ“Š vs National Average

Median Wage$92K
+$46K

National avg: $46K

Risk Score33/100
-11

National avg: 44/100

GenAI Exposure76/100
+38

National avg: 38/100

Projected Growth-0.1%
-3.8%

National avg: 3.7%

๐Ÿ”„ Career Transition Paths

OccupationRiskWageOverlap
Dentists, All Other Specialists13$226K65%
Social Scientists and Related Workers21$93K84%
Political Scientists25$139K76%