Hydrologic Technicians
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.
Median pay (national)
$58,570
$40,330–$94,310 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,940
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-2.1%
~400 openings/yr
Typical entry
Associate's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for hydrologic technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $94,310 versus $40,330 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $58,570 leaves roughly 61% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -2.1% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 30 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $81,380, +39% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $28,710 — a 183% spread for the same job title.
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What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Investigate the properties, origins, or activities of glaciers, ice, snow, or permafrost.
- Locate and deliver information or data as requested by customers, such as contractors, government entities, and members of the public.
Tools & technology
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Windows
- Datasurge GEOPRO
- Delft GeoSystems MStab
- ESRI ArcInfo
- ESRI ArcView
- GEO-SLOPE SEEP/W
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Mitre Software GSLOPE
- Salix Applied Earthcare Erosion Draw
- State Soil Geographic STATSGO Database
- Adobe Acrobat
- Email software
- Microsoft Access