Side-by-Side Comparison
Hydrologists leads 4–1| Metric | Materials Scientists | Hydrologists |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 34.3% | 31.9% |
| Risk Tier | Medium Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 63th | 50th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 8 / 15 | 7 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $104,160 | $92,060 |
| Employment | 8K | 6K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Chemistry
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Controlling Machines and Processes
Design
Engineering and Technology
Mechanical
Biology
Operations Analysis
Physics
Thinking Creatively
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Materials Scientists
31%
total discount
Hydrologists
32%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Materials Scientists
8 of 15 at risk77%Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
70%Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
68%Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
55%Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
53%Write research papers for publication in scientific journals.
Hydrologists
7 of 15 at risk86%Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
59%Prepare reports or presentations describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
55%Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
51%Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
51%Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
Wage Comparison
Hydrologists earns -$12,100(-12%) vs Materials Scientists
Materials ScientistsHydrologists
10th
$61,460$60,010
25th
$79,980$73,330
Median
$104,160$92,060
75th
$134,140$114,940
90th
$168,500$139,420
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Materials Scientists2028–2035
Hydrologists2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Hydrologists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Materials Scientists.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Materials Scientists
$68,464
from $104,160
Hydrologists
$62,739
from $92,060
After adjusting for AI risk, Materials Scientists offers $5,725 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Materials
0
Unique to Hydrologists
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Fine Manipulation
Creativity
Decision Complexity
Regulatory Barriers
Materials ScientistsHydrologists