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
- $64,790
- Doing it now
- 3,000
- By 2035
- Down 1.3%
- Usually needs
- Associate's degree
a year
across the country
400 openings a year
to get in
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Science Technologies/Technicians, OtherSee 16 colleges that teach it
- Science Technologies/Technicians, GeneralSee 7 colleges that teach it
- Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesSee 465 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Hands-on and practical
Organised and precise
Analytical and curious
Careers like this one
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$55,090
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$53,350
- Biological Technicians$57,510
- Computer Hardware Engineers$161,740
- Food Science Technicians$52,130
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$78,190
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $64,790 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.