Hydrologic Technicians: Career Overview
Collect and organize data concerning the distribution and circulation of ground and surface water, and data on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Measure and report on flow rates and ground water levels, maintain field equipment, collect water samples, install and collect sampling equipment, and process samples for shipment to testing laboratories. May collect data on behalf of hydrologists, engineers, developers, government agencies, or agriculture.
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What Tasks Do Hydrologic Technicians Perform?
The core tasks performed by hydrologic technicians span:
- Analyze ecological data about the impact of pollution, erosion, floods, and other environmental problems on bodies of water.
- Answer technical questions from hydrologists, policymakers, or other customers developing water conservation plans.
- Apply research findings to minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, or sedimentation.
- Assist in designing programs to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
- Collect water and soil samples to test for physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as pH, oxygen level, temperature, and pollution.
- Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
- Estimate the costs and benefits of municipal projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.
- Investigate complaints or conflicts related to the alteration of public waters by gathering information, recommending alternatives, or preparing legal documents.
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Field Technician (Field Tech)
- GIS Technician (Geographic Information System Technician)
- Groundwater Monitoring Technician
- Hydro Operator
- Hydrographer
- Hydrography Technician
- Hydrologic Aid
- Hydrologic Technician
Employment and Demand
There are about 134,433 hydrologic technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +4.0% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Hydrologic Technicians
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $92,011 |
| Hourly median | $44.24 |
| 10th percentile | $54,229 |
| 25th percentile | $73,120 |
| 75th percentile | $110,902 |
| 90th percentile | $129,793 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $81,380 |
| New Hampshire | $77,140 |
| Missouri | $72,630 |
| Alaska | $72,240 |
| Louisiana | $67,950 |
| Massachusetts | $67,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,960 |
| Utah | $65,960 |
| California | $63,900 |
| Georgia | $63,360 |
| Oklahoma | $61,960 |
| Maryland | $61,720 |
| New York | $58,570 |
| Oregon | $58,390 |
| New Jersey | $57,570 |
| Idaho | $56,900 |
| Iowa | $56,510 |
| Colorado | $54,500 |
| Michigan | $54,060 |
| Texas | $53,250 |
| South Dakota | $52,890 |
| Florida | $52,210 |
| North Carolina | $51,710 |
| Virginia | $51,150 |
| Montana | $50,730 |
| Illinois | $50,600 |
| Wisconsin | $49,000 |
| Ohio | $48,040 |
| West Virginia | $45,690 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,710 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for hydrologic technicians vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $77,140 | 2.7% | 4.58 |
| Far Western US | $65,821 | 27.3% | 1.55 |
| Middle Atlantic | $61,930 | 12.7% | 0.91 |
| Plains States | $60,676 | 5.5% | 2.14 |
| Rocky Mountains | $57,093 | 11.8% | 3.18 |
| Southeast | $55,139 | 18.6% | 0.90 |
| Southwest | $54,295 | 11.4% | 0.86 |
| Great Lakes | $49,795 | 7.7% | 0.80 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | CA | $83,710 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $76,940 | 40 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | NJ | $71,700 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $68,490 | 70 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | MD | $60,580 | 60 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | FL | $56,420 | 50 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | FL | $56,370 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | CA | $54,430 |
Which Industries Hire Hydrologic Technicians
Most hydrologic technicians are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 480 | $48,170 |
| Utilities | 160 | $82,190 |
| Educational Services | 80 | $48,560 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 60 | $43,070 |
| Manufacturing | 50 | $52,430 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Geographic information system: ESRI ArcGIS software (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Web platform development software: Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Geographic information system: Geographic information system GIS systems (in demand)
Getting Started in This Career
The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Water Resource Specialists (Primary-Short)
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Geodetic Surveyors (Supplemental)
- Civil Engineers (Supplemental)
- Water/Wastewater Engineers (Primary-Short)
- Environmental Engineers (Primary-Long)
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Students preparing for hydrologic technicians typically earn programs in:
Science Technologies/Technicians
3 programs across 3 majors
Physical Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 19-4044.00 (Hydrologic Technicians).
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