Hydrologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 19-2043.00
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 the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.075
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.36
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only25 rated tasks · 22 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (88.0%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.19-2043.00 | 0.110974.5 |
Compile and evaluate hydrologic information to prepare navigational charts and maps and to predict atmospheric conditions.19-2043.00 | 0.014910.0 |
Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action.19-2043.00 | 0.00976.5 |
Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.19-2043.00 | 0.00604.0 |
Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.19-2043.00 | 0.00553.7 |
Conduct short-term and long-term climate assessments and study storm occurrences.19-2043.00 | 0.00201.3 |
| Not observed on any surface — 19 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | |
Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians. | —0 |
Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities. | —0 |
Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions. | —0 |
Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors. | —0 |
Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation. | —0 |
Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes. | —0 |
Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders. | —0 |
Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology. | —0 |
Develop or modify methods of conducting hydrologic studies. | —0 |
Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments, such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments. | —0 |
Evaluate data and provide recommendations regarding the feasibility of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, flood warning systems, and waste treatment facilities. | —0 |
Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of the hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure. | —0 |
Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources. | —0 |
Design civil works associated with hydrographic activities and supervise their construction, installation, and maintenance. | —0 |
Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting. | —0 |
Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities. | —0 |
Administer programs designed to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells. | —0 |
Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions. | —0 |
Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost. | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Develop or modify methods for conducting hydrologic studies.O*NET Task ID 9111 | 1.0 |
Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.O*NET Task ID 18617 | 1.0 |
Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.O*NET Task ID 18618 | 1.0 |
Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.O*NET Task ID 9100 | 0.5 |
Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.O*NET Task ID 9102 | 0.5 |
Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.O*NET Task ID 9103 | 0.5 |
Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.O*NET Task ID 9104 | 0.5 |
Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.O*NET Task ID 9105 | 0.5 |
Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.O*NET Task ID 9106 | 0.5 |
Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.O*NET Task ID 9107 | 0.5 |
Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.O*NET Task ID 9108 | 0.5 |
Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders.O*NET Task ID 9109 | 0.5 |
Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology.O*NET Task ID 9110 | 0.5 |
Evaluate data and provide recommendations regarding the feasibility of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, flood warning systems, and waste treatment facilities.O*NET Task ID 9113 | 0.5 |
Conduct short- and long-term climate assessments and study storm occurrences.O*NET Task ID 9114 | 0.5 |
Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure.O*NET Task ID 9115 | 0.5 |
Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.O*NET Task ID 9116 | 0.5 |
Design civil works associated with hydrographic activities and supervise their construction, installation, and maintenance.O*NET Task ID 9117 | 0.5 |
Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action.O*NET Task ID 9118 | 0.5 |
Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting.O*NET Task ID 9119 | 0.5 |
Compile and evaluate hydrologic information to prepare navigational charts and maps and to predict atmospheric conditions.O*NET Task ID 9122 | 0.5 |
Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost.O*NET Task ID 9123 | 0.5 |
Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments.O*NET Task ID 9112 | 0.0 |
Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities.O*NET Task ID 9120 | 0.0 |
Administer programs designed to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.O*NET Task ID 9121 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (25)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters. | Core |
| Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians. | Core |
| Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities. | Core |
| Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions. | Core |
| Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats. | Core |
| Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors. | Core |
| Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation. | Core |
| Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes. | Core |
| Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders. | Core |
| Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology. | Core |
| Develop or modify methods for conducting hydrologic studies. | Core |
| Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments. | Core |
| Evaluate data and provide recommendations regarding the feasibility of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, flood warning systems, and waste treatment facilities. | Core |
| Conduct short- and long-term climate assessments and study storm occurrences. | Core |
| Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure. | Core |
| Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources. | Core |
| Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action. | Core |
| Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting. | Core |
| Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost. | Core |
| Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions. | Core |
| Prepare reports or presentations describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information. | Core |
| Design civil works associated with hydrographic activities and supervise their construction, installation, and maintenance. | Supplemental |
| Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities. | Supplemental |
| Administer programs designed to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells. | Supplemental |
| Compile and evaluate hydrologic information to prepare navigational charts and maps and to predict atmospheric conditions. | Supplemental |
0.14/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes. | E2 structured facilities |
| Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments. | E0 none |
| Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 6K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 6K
- Change (2025–35)
- +1.5%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $96,600
- Typical education needed for entry
- Bachelor's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21124 | 지구 및 기상 과학 연구원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2114Geologists and geophysicists
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Geologists and geophysicists conduct research; improve or develop concepts, theories and operational methods, or apply scientific knowledge relating to geology and geophysics in such fields as oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction, water conservation, civil engineering, telecommunications and navigation, and assessment and mitigation of the effects of development and waste disposal projects on the environment.
Tasks
- (a) conducting research and improving or developing concepts, theories and operational methods related to geology and geophysics;
- (b) studying composition and structure of the Earth's crust, examining rocks, minerals, fossils and other materials to determine processes affecting the development of the Earth, trace evolution of past life, establish nature and chronology of geological formations and assess their commercial applications;
- (c) interpreting research data and preparing geological reports, maps, charts and diagrams, reports and papers;
- (d) applying geological knowledge to problems encountered in civil engineering projects such as the construction of dams, bridges, tunnels, and large buildings; and land reclamation projects;
- (e) using various remote sensing programmes to investigate and measure seismic, gravitational, electrical, thermal, and magnetic forces affecting the Earth;
- (f) estimating weight, size and mass of the Earth and composition and structure of its interior, and studying the nature, activity and predictability of volcanoes, glaciers and earthquakes;
- (g) charting the Earth's magnetic field and applying this and other collected data for broadcasting, navigation and other purposes;
- (h) studying and measuring physical properties of seas and the atmosphere and their inter-relationship, such as the exchange of thermal energy;
- (i) locating and determining the nature and extent of oil, gas and mineral deposits using seismological, gravimetric, magnetic, electrical or radiometric methods;
- (j) identifying deposits of construction materials and determining their characteristics and suitability for use as concrete aggregates, road fill or for other applications;
- (k) researching the movement, distribution and physical properties of ground and surface waters;
- (l) advising in areas such as waste management, route and site selection and the restoration of contaminated sites.
Example occupations
Geological oceanographer · Geologist · Geophysical oceanographer · Geophysicist · Geoscientist
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- hydrologistESCO 2114.1.5Same scope
Hydrologists research and study the quality, current challenges, and distribution of water in the Earth. They study water supply from rivers, streams, and springs to determine their adequate and sustainable use. Together with a cross functional team of professionals, they plan and develop how water can be supplied to cities and urban areas while ensuring efficiency and resource conservation.
- hydrogeologistESCO 2114.1.4This occupation is broader
Hydrogeologists in mining study the distribution, quality and flow of water in order to keep mine workings free of nuisance water and to ensure an adequate supply of process water. They supply and evaluate information which will protect ground and surface water from contamination.
- environmental geologistESCO 2114.1.1Overlapping, not the same
Environmental geologists study how mineral operations may impact the composition and physical characteristics of the earth and its resources. They provide advice on issues such as land reclamation and environmental pollution.
- geologistESCO 2114.1Overlapping, not the same
Geologists research the materials that form the earth. Their observations depend on the purpose of the research. Depending on their specialisation, geologists study how the Earth has been shaped over time, its geological layers, the quality of minerals for mining purposes, earthquakes and volcanic activity for private services, and similar phenomena.
- soil scientistESCO 2133.11Overlapping, not the same
Soil scientists research and study the scientific discipline concerning soil. They advise on how to improve soil quality to support nature, food production or human infrastructure using surveying techniques, irrigation techniques and erosion reduction measures. They make sure to conserve and restore land suffering from intense farming or human interaction.
- water engineerESCO 2142.1.11Overlapping, not the same
Water engineers research and develop methods for the provision of clean water, water treatment and flood damage prevention and reaction. They research water needs in a location and develop methods for meeting those needs, such as designing and developing projects for managing water resources such as treatment plants, pipelines, pump systems, irrigation or draining systems and other water supply systems. Water engineers also ensure proper installation of these systems on construction sites. Water engineers also maintain, repair and build structures that control water resources, such as bridges, canals and dams.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| F1124 | Hydrologue | Same scopeprovisional |
| F1105 | Géologue | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2414 | Geólogos y geofísicos | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 42124 | Berufe in der Geologie - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 31144 | Berufe in der Wasserwirtschaft - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 051 | 自然科学系研究者 | This occupation is narrower |
| 119 | その他の技術者 | Related, not a match |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources