Hydrogeologist Jobs in California
Hydrogeologist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in environmental consulting, water resource management, state and local government agencies, and energy sector remediation, with openings at every level from field technician support roles through senior project hydrogeologist. The greatest hiring volume is in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where firms like Arcadis, Jacobs, and Stantec maintain long-established California operations. Groundwater contamination assessment, PFAS remediation, and drought-response water supply studies are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description
AECOM is seeking a self-motivated Geologist or Hydrogeologist III in our Long Beach, CA office to support a variety of environmental projects including site investigation and remediation programs throughout the Los Angeles Basin. The successful candidate will prepare and execute work plans to collect and analyze geological, hydrogeological, and geochemical data. The field activities will consist of soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, air, and soil vapor sample collection, geological logging and interpretation, and the oversight of subcontractors including excavation, drilling, well construction, aquifer testing, and well rehabilitation. The office activities will involve planning, task management, and preparation of site investigation and remediation progress reports. Flexibility to work on a multitude of diverse projects, a positive attitude, willingness to mentor junior staff, and commitment to workplace health and safety are imperative.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support site characterization, subsurface investigation, and remediation activities.
- Collect, evaluate, and interpret geological, hydrogeological, and geochemical data in field and office settings.
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Plan, conduct, and supervise fieldwork, including:
- Stakeholder engagement, team communication, and coordination of logistics.
- Subcontractor coordination oversight.o Conduct due diligence for utility clearance.
- Soil and bedrock drilling, characterization, and sampling.
- Monitoring well (groundwater and soil vapor) installation.
- Soil, sediment, soil vapor, sanitary system, surface water, and groundwater sampling.
- Surface and borehole geophysical techniques.
- Aquifer testing (e.g., slug tests, packer testing, step-drawdown, tracer tests).
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Remedial systems performance monitoring:
- Prepare and/or task-manage plans, permits, and reports for hazardous waste, air quality, stormwater, and wastewater programs.
- Perform and/or task-manage Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments.
- Provide environmental compliance support to clients, including on-site assistance as needed.
- Support Project Managers to deliver within scope, budget, and schedule, ensuring quality standards on all deliverables.
- Communicate clearly with subcontractors, regulators, and clients during field and office activities.
- Apply scientific principles, theories, and practices to develop practical solutions to complex problems.
- Interpret and record data, conduct analyses, and compare findings to applicable local, state, and federal regulations to ensure compliance.
- Work under general direction, independently determining and developing approaches to problem-solving.
- Solve problems using standard procedures and modifications based on prior assignments.
- Perform inspections and tests to verify regulatory and project compliance.
- Mentor junior staff and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
- Champion health and safety by participating in hazard recognition, project activity planning, and H&S planning and oversight.
- Travel up to 25% to various sites, as project needs require.
- Data management, report preparation and coordination with technical team.
Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- BA/BS or similar.
- 4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in environmental investigation and remediation.
- A valid driver’s license is required, along with the ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check in accordance with company policy.
- US Citizen or US Permanent Resident.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 6+ years of environmental investigation and remediation experience.
- California GIT and/or PG license
- Strong technical report writing skills; ability to lead preparation of investigation and compliance reports.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER with current 8-hour refresher.
- 30-hour OSHA Construction Supervisory certificate.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification.
Additional Information
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
See All 12 Hydrogeologist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hydrogeologist JobsHydrogeologist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Hydrogeologist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in hydrogeologist jobs across California.
- California Professional Geologist license or licensure eligibility required by most employers
- Bachelor's or master's degree in geology, hydrogeology, or earth sciences
- Experience with groundwater modeling software such as MODFLOW or FEFLOW
- Familiarity with California DTSC and State Water Board regulatory frameworks
- Ability to conduct field investigations including well installation and aquifer testing
- Strong technical report writing and data interpretation skills for regulatory submissions
Hydrogeologist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a hydrogeologist in California?
To work as a hydrogeologist in California, you typically need a bachelor's degree in geology, hydrogeology, or a closely related earth science, and most employers expect you to hold or be actively pursuing a California Professional Geologist license issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Licensure requires passing the California Geology examination and meeting experience requirements. Many hydrogeologists also pursue a Certified Hydrogeologist credential through the National Ground Water Association, which carries weight with California environmental agencies.
How much do hydrogeologists make in California?
Hydrogeologists in California earn a median of about $122,110 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $76,110 for the lowest 10% to over $181,360 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire hydrogeologists in California?
Employers hiring hydrogeologists in California right now include Hazen and Sawyer, GSI Water Solutions, and AECOM, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large-scale groundwater contamination, PFAS cleanup mandates, and drought-driven water supply projects create ongoing demand across environmental consulting firms, water districts, and state agencies throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most hydrogeologist jobs?
Sacramento, Pasadena, and Irvine have the highest concentration of hydrogeologist openings in California. Sacramento leads because of the density of state water agency offices and regional consulting firms clustered near regulatory bodies, while Los Angeles draws demand from industrial remediation and large municipal water systems, and San Francisco anchors hiring through its established environmental consulting sector and proximity to Bay Area technology and energy clients.
Are there remote hydrogeologist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 100% of hydrogeologist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which reflects how field-dependent the work is by nature. The portions of the role most suited to remote arrangements are data analysis, groundwater modeling, and technical report preparation, while site investigations, monitoring well sampling, and regulatory meetings typically require an on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a hydrogeologist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a staff geologist or environmental scientist position at a California-based consulting firm, which typically accepts candidates who are sitting for the California Geology examination or have recently graduated. Firms like Arcadis, Stantec, and smaller regional consultancies often bring on new graduates to support senior hydrogeologists on groundwater monitoring and remediation projects. Completing a California-registered summer internship, gaining field hours toward your Professional Geologist license, and developing working knowledge of MODFLOW will meaningfully strengthen your candidacy against more experienced applicants.
Where can I find and apply to hydrogeologist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to hydrogeologist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across environmental consulting, water agencies, and government. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 12 Hydrogeologist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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