by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Hydrology & Water Resources Science explores Hydrology And Water Resources Science. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Occurrence, Circulation, Distribution, Chemical And Physical Properties, And Environmental Interaction Of Surface And Subsurface Waters, Including Groundwater. Includes Instruction In Geophysics, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Chemical Physics, Geomorphology, Mathematical Modeling, Hydrologic Analysis, Continental Water Processes, Global Water Balance, And Environmental Science. Examples: [Hydrogeology]. Read on to learn the important information every hydrology & water resources science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering hydrology & water resources science programs.
In the U.S., hydrology & water resources science draws strong interest, with 220 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for hydrology & water resources science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of hydrology & water resources science programs later in this article.
Studies in Hydrology & Water Resources Science emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations hydrology & water resources science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a hydrology & water resources science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a hydrology & water resources science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several hydrology & water resources science degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 42 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 145 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 29 |
People currently working in careers related to hydrology & water resources science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.8% |
| Master’s degree | 27.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Some college courses | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in hydrology & water resources science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying hydrology & water resources science opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to hydrology & water resources science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to hydrology & water resources science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Hydrologic Technicians | 139,812 | 4.0% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Hydrologists | 58,938 | 8.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of hydrology & water resources science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,682 |
| 4 years | $54,219 |
| 5 years | $61,701 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for hydrology & water resources science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers hydrology & water resources science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Hydrologists | $96,513 |
| Hydrologic Technicians | $92,011 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
With 37 different hydrology & water resources science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased hydrology & water resources science school rankings to help you.
Those considering hydrology & water resources science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,715 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other | 863 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 569 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 197 |
| Geochemistry | 33 |
| Paleontology | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
