Hydrologists
Machines can already do 38% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 68%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Hydrologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 38% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 7% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 5,850 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $96,600 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Groundwater Consultant, Hydrogeologist, Research Hydrologic Engineer, Research Hydrologist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions | 13% | 45% to 75% | |
| Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions | 10% | 35% to 65% | |
| Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters | 6% | 62% to 90% | |
| Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians | 6% | 10% to 30% | |
| Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting | 6% | 55% to 85% | |
| Prepare reports or presentations describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information | 5% | 52% to 80% | |
| Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation | 4% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills hydrologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Biochemists and Biophysicists63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $127,410
- Petroleum Engineers66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $144,910
- Food Scientists and Technologists50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $88,720
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $94,980
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Hydrologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of hydrologists?
Machines can do 38% of the tasks of hydrologists today and 68% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-2043.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Hydrologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/hydrologists/