Home / Federal careers / GS-1315
Hydrology
Performs professional hydrology work including study of water resources, groundwater, and surface water systems.
What GS-1315 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-1315, as written.
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.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-1315
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Construction Engineering Technician
This role involves working with water resource projects and conducting site surveys, which aligns well with hydrological studies.
Skills that carry over: Water Resources, Data Analysis, Hydrological Modeling.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Engineering Aid
Engineering Aids often work on projects involving water systems and environmental assessments, providing a strong foundation for hydrology.
Skills that carry over: Water Resources, Hydrological Modeling, Data Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Conduct hydrological studies and investigations
- Analyze water resource data
- Model groundwater and surface water systems
- Assess water quality and quantity
- Support water resource management
- Prepare hydrological reports
Key competencies
Water Resources
Knowledge of surface water and groundwater systems.
Hydrological Modeling
Skill in developing and applying water models.
Data Analysis
Ability to analyze hydrological and water quality data.
Flood Forecasting
Knowledge of flood prediction methods.
Water Quality
Understanding of water quality parameters and standards.
GIS
Proficiency in GIS applications for hydrology.
Field Work
Ability to conduct field measurements and surveys.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing hydrological assessments and reports.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-1315
What is a Hydrologist?
A GS-1315 Hydrologist studies water resources—both surface water and groundwater systems. These scientists conduct hydrological investigations, model water systems, analyze water quality and quantity, forecast floods, assess water availability, and support water resource management for agencies like USGS, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and EPA.
How much does a federal Hydrologist make?
Federal Hydrologists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-9 through GS-13. A GS-12 Hydrologist earns $75,706-$98,422. USGS, Army Corps of Engineers, and Bureau of Reclamation are major employers with positions across the country.
What are the requirements for GS-1315 positions?
GS-1315 requires a degree in physical or natural science, or engineering with at least 30 semester hours combining hydrology, physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, meteorology, geology, or water resource management. Critically, you must have at least 6 hours of calculus AND 6 hours of physics—these are mandatory at all grade levels.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1315?
The required degree cannot be substituted with military experience alone. However, veterans with environmental science or engineering degrees combined with military water operations experience have excellent backgrounds. Experience in water supply systems, water quality testing, environmental compliance, or civil engineering units provides valuable qualifying experience when combined with required education.
What is the career progression for Hydrologist?
Hydrologists follow the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-12. Senior scientists and project leads reach GS-13/14. Career paths include specializing in flood forecasting, groundwater modeling, or water quality assessment. Some transition to regional water resource management positions or headquarters policy roles.
How do I apply for GS-1315 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Hydrologist" under series 1315. USGS (largest employer), Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, NWS, and EPA hire extensively. Highlight hydrological modeling experience, GIS skills, field investigation capabilities, and water quality expertise. Include specific software proficiency and any publications in your federal resume.
Ready to apply for GS-1315?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.