Groundwater Professionals
Overview
Introduction
Groundwater professionals are different types of scientists and engineers concerned with water supplies beneath the earth's surface. For example, they search for new water sources and ensure a safe water supply. According to the National Ground Water Association, 67.2 percent of groundwater is used for irrigation, 23 percent for human consumption, 4.02 percent for livestock/aquaculture, 3.86 percent for industrial applications, and 1.92 percent for other purposes.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Earnings for groundwater professionals vary greatly depending on the type of work they do, training and experience required for the work, geographic region, type of employer, and other factors. Groundwater professionals earn salaries in the upper range of those for all water industry professionals. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that median annual earnings of hydrologists were $79,370 in ...
Work Environment
Although responsibilities depend on a professional's specific job, some work outside the office and outdoors is frequently part of the job. Fieldwork might involve going to natural areas to survey the geophysical characteristics of a site. Groundwater professionals may need to take water samples from the monitoring wells near a gas station, fuel storage facility, landfill, sewage t...
Outlook
The field of groundwater science remains a promising career choice for motivated, intelligent students. The Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts that employment for hydrologists will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2028. Private-sector consulting firms should offer the best employment prospects. Employment at management, scientific, and technical consulting s...
