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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Summit Engineering, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated Water Wastewater Project Engineer or Geologist with Hydrogeology experience to join our dynamic team. This role is focused on groundwater supply, water availability, and water adequacy evaluations for water supply systems and infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate will have experience evaluating whether existing or proposed groundwater sources can reliably meet current and future water demands, including review of well records, aquifer testing, pumping data, modeling, seasonal groundwater trends, water quality and applicable County or regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is self-directed, technically strong and capable of managing complex hydrogeologic and engineering tasks while contributing to client relationships and business development.
Onsite (Santa Rosa) or Remote (depending upon experience)
Salary Range: $95,000 to $160,000 annually
Duties and Responsibilities:
Hydrogeology & Water Resources Experience
- Plan, facilitate and execute groundwater investigations, including desktop studies, aquifer testing data interpretation
- Design, oversee and analyze aquifer tests (pumping, step-drawdown, slug tests) to estimate aquifer parameters
- Evaluate site geology and regional geologic setting to understand how subsurface conditions may influence groundwater occurrence, aquifer behavior, recharge potential, storage, flow direction, water quality, well performance, and project feasibility
- Prepare and support groundwater source adequacy, water availability, and well capacity evaluations for development projects
- Review and interpret well completion reports, driller’s logs, geologic maps, boring logs, pump test data, static and pumping water levels, well production records, and available local groundwater data
- Develop or review water demand estimates and compare existing/proposed demands to available water supply data
- Plan, oversee, and interpret aquifer and well performance testing, including pumping tests, step-drawdown tests, slug tests, and water level monitoring
- Evaluate seasonal reliability, dry-year performance, well interference potential, and limitations of existing or proposed groundwater sources
- Analyze hydrogeologic data using appropriate tools, including conceptual hydrogeologic models and, where applicable, numerical groundwater modeling
- Prepare technical memoranda, water availability evaluations, and client and agency-facing summaries that clearly communicate assumptions, limitations, risks, and recommended next steps
- Coordinate with regulatory agencies, well drillers, pump contractors, laboratories, and design teams as needed
- Analyze hydrogeologic data using appropriate tools
- Collect groundwater quality samples, coordinate lab analysis and interpret geochemical data
- Support conceptual and numerical groundwater modeling
Engineering & Project Delivery
- Develop fee and time estimates for proposal preparation
- Communicate project status and updates to Project Managers
- Identify scope changes and alert Project Managers accordingly
- Prepare engineering analysis, calculations, and designs for assigned project components
- Produce construction documents with minimal oversight
- Manage task assignments to meet project budget and timelines
- Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance
- Stay current with industry codes and standards
- Respond to RFIs, review submittals and perform site visits
- Collaborate with clients and consultants for data collection and coordination
- Act as a technical lead on multi-disciplinary tasks as needed
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in the field of hydrogeology, groundwater resources, or environmental consulting
- California Professional Engineer (PE) license or Professional Geologist (PG) preferred or in the process of obtaining
- Familiarity with multiple hydrogeologic settings (unconsolidated, consolidated and bedrock aquifers)
- Experience with groundwater modeling software (e.g. MODFLOW, SWMM or similar tools)
- Proficiency in engineering and design software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Bluebeam
- Strong communication, organization, time management and problem-solving skills with the ability to support multiple projects
- Understanding of applicable codes, permitting processes, and engineering design principles
- Must maintain a valid Driver’s License
- Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship
Summit Engineering, Inc. is a multi-disciplined design engineering firm located in the heart of beautiful Sonoma County, in Santa Rosa, CA. Our Civil, Wastewater, Structural and Electrical engineering and Planning divisions provide consulting services for wineries, high-end residential properties, resorts, and other private sector projects. Summit Engineering has been voted as a “Best Places to Work” for twenty years. We work a 9/80 schedule, which means you have every other Friday off. Employees also have the option to work from home one day a week after their 90-day introductory period.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $95,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Summit Engineering, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated Water Wastewater Project Engineer or Geologist with Hydrogeology experience to join our dynamic team. This role is focused on groundwater supply, water availability, and water adequacy evaluations for water supply systems and infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate will have experience evaluating whether existing or proposed groundwater sources can reliably meet current and future water demands, including review of well records, aquifer testing, pumping data, modeling, seasonal groundwater trends, water quality and applicable County or regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is self-directed, technically strong and capable of managing complex hydrogeologic and engineering tasks while contributing to client relationships and business development.
Onsite (Santa Rosa) or Remote (depending upon experience)
Salary Range: $95,000 to $160,000 annually
Duties and Responsibilities:
Hydrogeology & Water Resources Experience
- Plan, facilitate and execute groundwater investigations, including desktop studies, aquifer testing data interpretation
- Design, oversee and analyze aquifer tests (pumping, step-drawdown, slug tests) to estimate aquifer parameters
- Evaluate site geology and regional geologic setting to understand how subsurface conditions may influence groundwater occurrence, aquifer behavior, recharge potential, storage, flow direction, water quality, well performance, and project feasibility
- Prepare and support groundwater source adequacy, water availability, and well capacity evaluations for development projects
- Review and interpret well completion reports, driller’s logs, geologic maps, boring logs, pump test data, static and pumping water levels, well production records, and available local groundwater data
- Develop or review water demand estimates and compare existing/proposed demands to available water supply data
- Plan, oversee, and interpret aquifer and well performance testing, including pumping tests, step-drawdown tests, slug tests, and water level monitoring
- Evaluate seasonal reliability, dry-year performance, well interference potential, and limitations of existing or proposed groundwater sources
- Analyze hydrogeologic data using appropriate tools, including conceptual hydrogeologic models and, where applicable, numerical groundwater modeling
- Prepare technical memoranda, water availability evaluations, and client and agency-facing summaries that clearly communicate assumptions, limitations, risks, and recommended next steps
- Coordinate with regulatory agencies, well drillers, pump contractors, laboratories, and design teams as needed
- Analyze hydrogeologic data using appropriate tools
- Collect groundwater quality samples, coordinate lab analysis and interpret geochemical data
- Support conceptual and numerical groundwater modeling
Engineering & Project Delivery
- Develop fee and time estimates for proposal preparation
- Communicate project status and updates to Project Managers
- Identify scope changes and alert Project Managers accordingly
- Prepare engineering analysis, calculations, and designs for assigned project components
- Produce construction documents with minimal oversight
- Manage task assignments to meet project budget and timelines
- Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance
- Stay current with industry codes and standards
- Respond to RFIs, review submittals and perform site visits
- Collaborate with clients and consultants for data collection and coordination
- Act as a technical lead on multi-disciplinary tasks as needed
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in the field of hydrogeology, groundwater resources, or environmental consulting
- California Professional Engineer (PE) license or Professional Geologist (PG) preferred or in the process of obtaining
- Familiarity with multiple hydrogeologic settings (unconsolidated, consolidated and bedrock aquifers)
- Experience with groundwater modeling software (e.g. MODFLOW, SWMM or similar tools)
- Proficiency in engineering and design software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Bluebeam
- Strong communication, organization, time management and problem-solving skills with the ability to support multiple projects
- Understanding of applicable codes, permitting processes, and engineering design principles
- Must maintain a valid Driver’s License
- Eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship
Summit Engineering, Inc. is a multi-disciplined design engineering firm located in the heart of beautiful Sonoma County, in Santa Rosa, CA. Our Civil, Wastewater, Structural and Electrical engineering and Planning divisions provide consulting services for wineries, high-end residential properties, resorts, and other private sector projects. Summit Engineering has been voted as a “Best Places to Work” for twenty years. We work a 9/80 schedule, which means you have every other Friday off. Employees also have the option to work from home one day a week after their 90-day introductory period.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $95,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 13 Hydrogeologist Jobs in California
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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, Geosyntec Consultants, and Montgomery & Associates, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Irvine, and Alameda 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 71% of hydrogeologist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 13 Hydrogeologist Jobs in California
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