Explore the rankings
Science & Research · Updated Aug 2026

Hydrologists

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.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
70/100
High

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
60/100
High

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence82/100
Task coverage85%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.Medium
70
Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.High
76
Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.High
76
Apply research findings to help minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, and sedimentation.Medium
75
Study and analyze the physical aspects of the earth in terms of hydrological components, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and interior structure.Medium
76
Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.Medium
77
Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.High
75
Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.High
76
Study and document quantities, distribution, disposition, and development of underground and surface waters.Medium
76
Evaluate research data in terms of its impact on issues such as soil and water conservation, flood control planning, and water supply forecasting.Medium
75
Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.Medium
77
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.Medium
74
Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.Medium
53
Answer questions and provide technical assistance and information to contractors or the public regarding issues such as well drilling, code requirements, hydrology, and geology.Medium
76
Review applications for site plans and permits and recommend approval, denial, modification, or further investigative action.Medium
76
Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters, gathering information, recommending alternatives, informing participants of progress, and preparing draft orders.Medium
76
Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities.Medium
34
Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments.Medium
23
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.77
  2. Prepare hydrogeologic evaluations of known or suspected hazardous waste sites and land treatment and feedlot facilities.77
  3. Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.76
  4. Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.76
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Install, maintain, and calibrate instruments such as those that monitor water levels, rainfall, and sediments.01
  2. Monitor the work of well contractors, exploratory borers, and engineers and enforce rules regarding their activities.02
  3. Collect and analyze water samples as part of field investigations or to validate data from automatic monitors.03
  4. Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.04
  5. Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

See all rankings →
Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency66
Physical dependency36
Adoption pressure60
Labour-market resilience57
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence82/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →