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Hydrology Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Bureau of Reclamation

HYDROLOGIST

Klamath Falls, OR · On-site +1

$89K - $116K/yr

Serve as the area office hydrology subject matter expert on water policy, regulations, and water rights. * Develop project plans, technical reports, and recommendations while coordinating with ...

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All JobsHydrology JobsHydrology Jobs in Oregon

Hydrology information

See Oregon salary details

$29.6K

$66.4K

$123.7K

How much do hydrology jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for hydrology in Oregon is $66,370.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,200.00 and $93,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is hydrology and what does a hydrologist do?

Hydrology is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth, including the water cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability. Hydrologists are scientists who analyze how water interacts with the environment, including precipitation, surface water, groundwater, and their impacts on ecosystems and human activities. They often work on managing water resources, predicting floods and droughts, and solving water-related problems such as pollution or scarcity. Their work is essential for agriculture, urban planning, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness.

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

To thrive as a Hydrologist, you need a strong background in environmental science, mathematics, and geology, usually backed by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in hydrology or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, remote sensing tools, hydrologic modeling systems, and sometimes professional certifications like the Professional Hydrologist (PH) credential are commonly required. Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help hydrologists interpret data and collaborate with diverse teams. These competencies are crucial for accurately assessing water resources, predicting water-related risks, and informing sustainable management decisions.

What are some common challenges hydrologists face when working on field studies, and how can they be managed?

Hydrologists often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, difficult terrain, and limited accessibility to remote study sites during fieldwork. To manage these, professionals typically plan field visits carefully, use specialized equipment for data collection, and collaborate closely with team members to ensure safety and data accuracy. Flexibility and strong problem-solving skills are essential, as hydrologists must adapt to changing conditions and troubleshoot issues in real time. Collaborative teamwork and clear communication also play a crucial role in overcoming logistical obstacles and ensuring successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Hydrology vs Hydraulics?

AspectHydrologyHydraulics
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in hydrology, environmental science, or civil engineeringBachelor's or master's in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, data analysis, environmental agencies, research institutionsDesign, testing, and analysis of fluid systems, often in construction or manufacturing
Industry UsageWater resource management, environmental protection, researchFluid system design, hydraulic engineering, infrastructure projects

Hydrology focuses on the study of water movement, distribution, and quality in natural systems, while hydraulics deals with the behavior of fluids in engineered systems. Both fields often overlap but serve different purposes: hydrologists manage water resources and environmental concerns, whereas hydraulic engineers design systems like dams, pipes, and pumps.

Are hydrologists in demand?

Hydrologists are in steady demand due to increasing concerns about water resources, climate change, and environmental management. Employment opportunities are expected to grow at a rate comparable to or faster than the average for all occupations, especially in government agencies, environmental consulting, and research institutions, often requiring strong analytical skills and knowledge of GIS tools.

How do you become a hydrologist?

To become a hydrologist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in hydrology, geology, environmental science, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships and developing skills in data analysis, GIS, and modeling are important; advanced positions may require a master's or doctoral degree.

How much do hydrologists make in the US?

Hydrologists in the United States typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $50,000 to over $120,000 depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals or those working in specialized fields or high-demand areas can earn higher wages.

What jobs can a hydrology do?

A hydrologist can work in roles such as water resource management, environmental consulting, flood risk assessment, and research. They often analyze water data, use modeling software, and may work for government agencies, environmental firms, or research institutions. Certification and knowledge of GIS and hydrological tools are beneficial for these positions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hydrology jobs in Oregon?

The most popular types of Hydrology jobs in Oregon are:

What are popular job titles related to Hydrology jobs in Oregon?

For Hydrology jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Hydrology jobs in Oregon look for?

The top searched job categories for Hydrology jobs in Oregon are:

Hydrology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hydrology job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,370 per year, or $31.9 per hour.

Hydrologist

Recruitment and Hiring | US Forest Service

Corvallis, OR

$61K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 hours ago

Posted today

Job description

This position is located on a Forest Service Research unit.
The incumbent performs professional work in the field of hydrology, participating as a member of a research team working to evaluate short-and long-term effects of forest management activities on erosion processes and stream functions.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Adam Price at Adam.Price@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: 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 -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Experience: 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.

Applicants with related experience in hydrology gained through earlier Federal Government employment might have gained that experience in one or more occupational series. Such series include Soil Conservation, GS-457; Forestry, GS-460; Soil Science, GS-470; Civil Engineering, GS-810; Chemistry, GS-1320; Meteorology, GS-1340; and Geology, GS-1350. Comparable non-Federal experience may be given similar credit.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as four or more of the following:
  • Assisting with creating complex databases including full metadata and flagging of questionable data.
  • Manipulating and assisting in analyzing large data sets from a variety of research areas such as forestry, atmospheric sciences, hydrology, socio-economics, wildlife, fisheries - analyses included graphical and text summaries across multiple timesteps, calculations of higher order statistical metrics.
  • Assisting in developing, designing and managing complex databases including data dictionaries, data models, quality assurance, and metadata for multi-disciplinary information and geospatial applications.
  • Presenting analysis of complex and large datasets at local or regional scientific meetings, assisted with national meeting presentations. Integrating datasets with different structural and disciplinary characteristics.
  • Documenting the multiple steps of data acquisition and management of streaming data, starting with raw data on field datalogger to final data available on the web.
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., directly related to the work of this Hydrologist position. Examples of directly related education are: watershed science, forest hydrology, hydrologic engineering, hydrogeology, hydrology, environmental engineering, civil engineering, agricultural engineering, and soil science.
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.
TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.Education:See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.Employment Type: OTHER

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