Occupation salary profile

Hydrologic Technicians

SOC 19-4044 BLS OEWS May 2025

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. Excludes “Hydrologists” (19-2043).

National median · BLS
$64,790
▲ +10.62% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$69,530
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
2,840
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Hydrologic Technicians

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$44,950
25th$52,040
Median (50th)$64,790
75th$84,680
90th — top pay$100,480

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Hydrologic Technicians

BLS projects employment of hydrologic technicians to decline 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
3,000 → 3,000
+0 jobs
Projected change
-1.3%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need an associate's degree →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Hydrologic Technicians

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Software and technology used
Geographic information system GIS systemsAdobe AcrobatESRI ArcGIS softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordDatasurge GEOPRODelft GeoSystems MStabEmail softwareESRI ArcInfoESRI ArcViewGEO-SLOPE SEEP/WGeographic information system GIS software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What hydrologic technicians do

  • 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.
More job titles for this occupation (8)
Field Technician (Field Tech)GIS Technician (Geographic Information System Technician)Groundwater Monitoring TechnicianHydro OperatorHydrographerHydrography TechnicianHydrologic AidHydrologic Technician

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.