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$117K

How much do forest hydrology jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for forest hydrology in the United States is $62,774.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $88,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a forest hydrologist do?

As a Forest Hydrologist, your typical day may involve conducting fieldwork to collect water samples, monitoring streamflow and rainfall, and operating data-logging instruments in forested areas. You would also spend time analyzing data using computer models, preparing reports or maps, and presenting your findings to colleagues or stakeholders. Collaboration with foresters, ecologists, and land managers is common, particularly when advising on sustainable land use or watershed management. The workload often varies seasonally, with more fieldwork during wetter months and data analysis occurring year-round. Balancing both outdoor and office-based tasks is key to succeeding in this dynamic role.

What is a forest hydrologist?

A Forest Hydrology job involves studying how water moves through forested ecosystems, including precipitation, runoff, groundwater flow, and evaporation. Professionals in this field assess the impact of land management, climate change, and human activities on water resources. They work with government agencies, conservation organizations, and researchers to develop sustainable water management practices. Tasks may include data collection, modeling watershed processes, and recommending policies to protect water quality and availability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forest hydrologist?

To thrive in Forest Hydrology, you need a strong background in environmental science, hydrology, or forestry, often supported by a relevant degree and field research experience. Familiarity with GIS software, hydrological modeling tools, remote sensing technologies, and potentially certifications like Certified Hydrologist can be highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and conveying findings. These abilities are crucial for accurately assessing, modeling, and managing the impacts of water movement in forest ecosystems, which supports environmental sustainability and resource management.

More about Forest Hydrology jobs
What states have the most Forest Hydrology jobs? States with the most job openings for Forest Hydrology jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Forest Hydrology jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Forest Hydrology jobs are:
Forest Hydrology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forest Hydrology job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,774 per year, or $30.2 per hour.

Hydrologist

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Willows, CA • On-site

$50K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

This announcement is being advertised as a Forest Service National Hiring effort to fill multiple vacancies. Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Todd Butler at todd.butler@usda.gov.Qualifications:

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Basic Requirement:
GS-1315 Series:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in physical or natural science, or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in any combination of courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources. The course work must have included at least 6 semester hours in calculus (including both differential and integral calculus), and at least 6 semester hours in physics. Calculus and physics, as described above, are requirements for all grade levels.
OR
Combination of education and experience -- coursework as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Acceptable experience must have included performance of scientific functions related to the study of water resources, based on and requiring a professional knowledge of related sciences and the consistent application of basic scientific principles to the solution of theoretical and practical hydrologic problems. The following is illustrative of acceptable experience: field or laboratory work that would require application of hydrologic theory and related sciences such as geology, geo-chemistry, geophysics, or civil engineering to making observations, taking samples, operating instruments, assembling data from source materials, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting findings orally and in writing. In some cases, professional scientific experience that is not clearly water resource experience may be acceptable if such experience was preceded by appropriate education in hydrology or by professional hydrology experience.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement listed above, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following:

  • Gathered, consolidated, and prepared data for charts, lists of study findings, and statistical tables;
  • Operated technical equipment or instruments to take readings and perform routine testing tasks, under the direction of a supervisor;
  • Assisted in the preparation of technical reports, including assisting in the analysis of data and test findings; and/or
  • Assisted in analysis of environmental effects of earth disturbing or other human activities on hydrologic resources.
OR
Applicants must have one full year of graduate level education (coursework directly related to position being filled);
OR
An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience;
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (click the link to determine if you are eligible: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/
For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following:
  • Assisted senior hydrologists by carrying out routine projects;
  • Assisted in implementing well-established hydrology programs or projects;
  • Helped in assessing the water resource capability/suitability and identifying goals and concerns for water resource management;
  • Conducted water resource inventories and prepared the resulting data for application into the land management planning process; and/or
  • Assisted in water resource inventories following established procedures to assemble databases required to support management programs and planning.
OR
A Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related;
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.Employment Type: OTHER

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