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Hydrologist: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Are you passionate about protecting our water sources? Do you like gathering information and doing presentations? Are you a creative problem solver? Then you may want to soak up a career as a hydrologist.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the occurrence, distribution, circulation and properties of water in the atmosphere, on the Earth’s surface, and in soil and underlying rocks.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Hydrogeologist, Physical Geographer, Physical Scientist, Research Scientist, Surface Water Scientist, Water Resources Engineer, Water Scientist, Watershed Scientist

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists

2006 NOC-S

  • C013: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists

2011 NOC

  • 2113: Geoscientists and oceanographers

2016 NOC

  • 2113: Geoscientists and oceanographers

2021 NOC

  • 21102: Geoscientists and oceanographers

2023 OaSIS

  • 21102.01: Geoscientists
Duties
Updated Mar 03, 2021

Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another. Hydrologists often specialize in particular water-related fields but, in general, they:

  • Apply scientific knowledge, mathematical and physical principles to solve water-related problems
  • Study the amounts and timing of river flow, precipitation, evaporation, infiltration; and storage of water in rivers, lakes, wetlands and other water bodies
  • Study flow and storage of groundwater in aquifers
  • Study glaciers, snowpacks and ice sheets, whether as snow or ice
  • Study the way soil moisture and subsurface water in rocks and soils interact with groundwater systems
  • Study the transport, travel time and fate of dissolved and suspended matters in water
  • Help to limit the environmental impacts of land-use change, erosion, sedimentation, pollution and water-borne diseases
  • Study the short-term and long-term effects of climate change and weather variability on the outlook of water supply, flow and storage
  • Conduct risk analyses for hydrological extremes such as floods and droughts
  • Develop integrated water and drainage management plans for river basins, often as part of technical or planning cross-disciplinary teams
  • Assess whether to develop hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems and other systems for using or supplying water
  • Study public and industrial surface and groundwater supply, water quality, wastewater, in-stream flows and recreation requirements to learn how fish and wildlife habitats are impacted
  • Conduct environmental impact assessments of resource projects
  • Study the effects that natural disturbances, such as wildfires or mountain pine beetle, have on water quantity and quality, as well as aquatic ecology
  • Gather stream flow, water level, climate, geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing and other data
  • Analyse data and develop hydrologic models
  • Delineate drainage boundaries using topographic data and other information to define the extents of catchments, watersheds and river basins
  • Prepare technical reports and presentations
  • Coordinate and supervise the work of technologists and technicians

Hydrogeologists are hydrologists who specialize in studying groundwater.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 03, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Hydrologists may work alone or with a team of professionals, technologists or technicians. They may work primarily indoors in an office environment or outdoors conducting field investigations. Hours of work are typical of other professionals in office-based roles but can be long if fieldwork is a regular duty. Fieldwork may involve being away from home for days or weeks. It may also involve working in remote and rugged terrain in adverse conditions. Lifting up to 20 kilograms may be required in fieldwork.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
I
Investigative
This occupation
You
R
Realistic

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Geoscientists
2023 OaSIS: 21102.01

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Investigative

    Investigative jobs are about thinking deeply and solving problems. People in these jobs enjoy learning, asking questions, and doing research. They often study science, nature, or how things work. These jobs need a lot of thinking and often involve working with ideas instead of people. Examples include scientists, lab technicians, and researchers.

  • 2
    Realistic

    Realistic jobs focus on working with your hands, tools, machines, or animals. People in these jobs often fix, build, or take care of things. They like clear tasks and working in a physical way. These jobs usually don’t need much paperwork or teamwork. Examples include mechanics, farmers, and builders.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Geoscientists
2023 OaSIS: 21102.01

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 03, 2021

Hydrologists need:

  • Imagination and creativity
  • Analytical ability and critical thinking skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Oral communication skills
  • An ability to write clear and informative engineering reports
  • An ability to work alone and as a team

They should enjoy:

  • Preparing, reviewing and analyzing data
  • Coordinating information
  • Developing innovative approaches to problems
  • Using instruments and equipment to perform tasks requiring precision
  • Consulting with people
  • Working outdoors

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Geoscientists and oceanographers

2016 NOC: 2113

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 25 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 23, 2021 and Oct 01, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Plan, direct and participate in analyses of geological, geochemical and geophysical survey data, well logs and other test results, maps, notes and cross sections
Flexibility
Team player
Tasks: Identify and advise on anticipated natural risks
Work Setting: Consulting geology, geophysics or engineering firm
Tasks: Plan, direct and participate in geological, geochemical and geophysical field studies, drilling and geological testing programs
Attention to detail
Reliability
Work under pressure
Tasks: Plan and conduct analytical studies of core samples, drill cuttings and rock samples to identify chemical, mineral, hydrocarbon and biological composition
Tasks: Plan, direct and participate in analyses of geological, geochemical and geophysical survey data, well logs and other test results, maps, notes and cross sections 16
Construction Specialization: Flexibility 15
Construction Specialization: Team player 15
Tasks: Identify and advise on anticipated natural risks 15
Work Setting: Consulting geology, geophysics or engineering firm 14
Tasks: Plan, direct and participate in geological, geochemical and geophysical field studies, drilling and geological testing programs 14
Attention to detail 12
Construction Specialization: Reliability 12
Work under pressure 12
Tasks: Plan and conduct analytical studies of core samples, drill cuttings and rock samples to identify chemical, mineral, hydrocarbon and biological composition 12
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 03, 2021
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

The minimum education requirement is a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a discipline with a strong hydrology component. This might include geography, civil engineering, environmental science, earth sciences, agriculture or forestry. A master’s degree is required for some positions. Before enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program, prospective hydrologists should discuss their education options with people currently working in the field.

Hydrologists who provide design input for water management infrastructure projects (for example, dams, canals, storm water management, pipeline or bridge crossings) must have an engineering degree and Professional Engineer status.

Hydrologists who provide geological input must have a degree in geology and Professional Geoscientist status.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Concordia University of Edmonton
The King's University
University of Alberta
University of Calgary

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 03, 2021
  • Certification Not regulated

Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation. However, hydrologists who provide project design input are subject to regulations for engineers. Similarly, those who provide geological input are subject to regulations for geoscientists.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 03, 2021

Hydrologists are employed by:

  • Natural resource companies
  • Civil engineering, environmental and forestry consulting firms
  • Government departments

Experienced hydrologists may work with Canadian consulting firms overseas or advance to water resource management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Geoscientists and oceanographers
2016 NOC: 2113

86.0% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Geoscientists and oceanographers
2021 NOC: 21102
Cool
Job Market
2,100
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list
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iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Geoscientists and oceanographers
2016 NOC: 2113
2.4%
Annual Growth
(Average)
53
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 03, 2021

Hydrologists’ salaries vary considerably depending on their qualifications and the responsibilities of the position.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Geoscientists and oceanographers

2021 NOC: 21102
Average Wage
$79.71
Per Hour
Average Salary
$138,135.00
Per Year
Average Hours
35.2
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 21102 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $27.00 $82.52 $49.74 $44.19
Overall $34.77 $111.80 $79.71 $84.13
Top $41.93 $180.29 $102.41 $113.28

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Public Administration
ALL INDUSTRIES $138,135
Oil & Gas Extraction $192,493
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services $109,721
Public Administration $99,978

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
38%
38%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
8%
8%
Vacancy Rate
3%
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Agriculture and Related Technologies
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
  • Environment, Forestry and Related Studies
  • Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 03, 2021

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: apega.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 03, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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