Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers vs Hydrologists: $102K vs $97K Median Pay

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers vs Hydrologists: what changes?

Consider Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers if you want to study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. 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 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 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

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

National median pay (2025): $101,920
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: Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,800

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 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

How the national numbers differ

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on projected growth

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is at 5.1% projected growth, compared with 1.5% projected growth for Hydrologists.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on annual openings

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is at 1,800 annual openings, compared with 400 annual openings for Hydrologists.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on median pay

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers is at $101,920, compared with $96,600 for Hydrologists.

53.6/ 100

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

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

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers vs Hydrologists

Dimension	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	Hydrologists
Median pay (2025)	$101,920	$96,600
Pay percentile	84 percentile	80 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	5.1%	1.5%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	1,800	400
2025 employment	25,400	6,300
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 5	Job Zone 5
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS 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 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers brief Read Hydrologists brief

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers vs Hydrologists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Hydrologists

How the national numbers differ

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on projected growth

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on annual openings

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers has the edge on median pay

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers vs Hydrologists

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