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Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Hydrologists: what changes?

Consider Atmospheric and Space Scientists if you want to investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Consider Hydrologists if you would rather 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…. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Atmospheric and Space Scientists and Hydrologists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

National median pay (2025)
$99,070
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
800
Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (10,700 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Atmospheric and Space Scientists brief

Hydrologists

National median pay (2025)
$96,600
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
400
Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (6,300 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Hydrologists brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Typical preparation differs.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists: Bachelor's degree Hydrologists: Bachelor's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

2

Atmospheric and Space Scientists has the edge on projected growth

Atmospheric and Space Scientists is at 2.6% projected growth, compared with 1.5% projected growth for Hydrologists.

3

Atmospheric and Space Scientists has the edge on annual openings

Atmospheric and Space Scientists is at 800 annual openings, compared with 400 annual openings for Hydrologists.

4

Atmospheric and Space Scientists has the edge on median pay

Atmospheric and Space Scientists is at $99,070, compared with $96,600 for Hydrologists.

44.8/ 100

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

vs
36.6/ 100

Hydrologists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Hydrologists

DimensionAtmospheric and Space ScientistsHydrologists
Median pay (2025)$99,070$96,600
Pay percentile81.9 percentile80 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)2.6%1.5%
Annual openings (2025–2035)800400
2025 employment10,7006,300
How you qualifyBachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 4Job Zone 5
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Atmospheric and Space Scientists briefRead Hydrologists brief

Try another comparison

Atmospheric and Space Scientists vs Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Atmospheric and Space Scientists
$99,070 · 2.6% growth
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$101,920 · 5.1% growth
Compare careers →

Hydrologists vs Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Hydrologists
$96,600 · 1.5% growth
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$101,920 · 5.1% growth
Compare careers →
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