Hydrology and Water Resources Science: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Hydrology and Water Resources Science is an advanced interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the complex behavior of water across Earth’s surface and subsurface environments. This program equips students with the analytical and scientific tools needed to investigate water systems, assess environmental impacts, and support sustainable water management in a changing climate.
- Geophysics: The application of physical principles to study Earth’s subsurface structures and properties, particularly as they relate to groundwater flow and aquifer characterization.
- Thermodynamics: The study of energy transfer and phase changes in water systems, essential for modeling processes like evaporation, condensation, and heat exchange in aquatic environments.
- Fluid Mechanics: The analysis of water movement through porous media and open channels, forming the foundation for understanding flow dynamics in rivers, aquifers, and engineered systems.
- Chemical Physics: The integration of chemistry and physics to explore molecular interactions in water, including solubility, reaction kinetics, and contaminant transport.
- Geomorphology: The examination of landforms and their evolution, particularly how water shapes landscapes through erosion, sediment transport, and deposition.
- Mathematical Modeling: The development and application of quantitative frameworks to simulate hydrologic processes, predict water availability, and evaluate system responses to change.
- Hydrologic Analysis: The systematic evaluation of water budgets, flow patterns, and temporal variations in precipitation, runoff, and groundwater recharge.
- Continental Water Processes: The study of large-scale water cycles across landmasses, including surface runoff, infiltration, and the role of vegetation in water regulation.
- Global Water Balance: The comprehensive accounting of water inputs, outputs, and storage across the planet, critical for assessing freshwater sustainability and climate impacts.
- Environmental Science: An integrative approach to understanding how human activities and natural systems interact with water resources, informing policy and conservation strategies.
Hydrology and Water Resources Science Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Hydrology and Water Resources Science Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Hydrology and Water Resources Science degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Hydrologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 121,010 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
| Hydrologists 19-2043 | $92,060 | $60,010 - $139,420 | 5,720 | $44.26 |
| Hydrologic Technicians 19-4044 | $58,570 | $40,330 - $94,310 | 2,940 | $28.16 |
Hydrology and Water Resources Science Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $70,108 in Florida to $164,650 in District of Columbia—a 135% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 121,010 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Hydrology and Water Resources Science by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 37 institutions offering Hydrology and Water Resources Science programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Hydrology and Water Resources Science is found at University of Arizona (21 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (18 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (14 graduates), Colorado School of Mines (12 graduates), and Georgia State University (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 220 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Other Award
|
10 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Texas A&M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | tamusa.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
9 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
8 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Other Award
|
7 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Master's
|
6 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Northland College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Ashland, Wisconsin | Private | northland.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Master's
|
5 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of New Orleans (UNO) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | new.uno.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Socorro, New Mexico | Public | nmt.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
3 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Associate's
|
3 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Master's
|
3 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Other Award
|
3 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Master's
|
1 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Blackfeet Community College (BFCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Browning, Montana | Private | bfcc.edu |
| Salish Kootenai College (SKC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Pablo, Montana | Public | skc.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Hydrology and Water Resources Science programs
How much can I earn with a Hydrology and Water Resources Science degree?
Salaries for Hydrology and Water Resources Science graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $101,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $164,650 compared to $70,108 in Florida. Approximately 121,010 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Hydrology and Water Resources Science programs?
Currently 37 accredited institutions offer Hydrology and Water Resources Science degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Arizona (21 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (18 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (14 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Hydrology and Water Resources Science growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 86 in 2010 to a peak of 231 in 2020, before declining slightly to 220 in 2023-24. This represents a 156% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Hydrology and Water Resources Science degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Hydrologists. Related occupations employ approximately 121,010 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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