Hydrologic Technicians
19-4044.00
Updated 2025

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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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

  • 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.
  • Measure the properties of bodies of water, such as water levels, volume, and flow.
  • Perform quality control checks on data to be used by hydrologists.
  • Prepare, install, maintain, or repair equipment used for hydrologic study, such as water level recorders, stream flow gauges, and water analyzers.
  • Provide real time data to emergency management and weather service personnel during flood events.
  • Write groundwater contamination reports on known, suspected, or potential hazardous waste sites.
  • Write materials for research publications, such as maps, tables, and reports, to disseminate findings.
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Occupational Requirements

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Experience Requirements

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Title
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education
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Related Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
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These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
SVP Range
(6.0 to < 7.0)

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Worker Characteristics

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Occupational InterestInterest
76
 
Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
72
 
Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
66
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
9
 
Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
7
 
Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
0
 
Artistic — Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Work Styles Save Table: XLSX CSV

ImpactWork Style
86
 
Attention to Detail — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
82
 
Dependability — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
68
 
Cautiousness — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.
66
 
Intellectual Curiosity — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
63
 
Integrity — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
53
 
Achievement Orientation — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.
53
 
Adaptability — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.
51
 
Perseverance — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.
49
 
Cooperation — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
45
 
Initiative — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.
41
 
Innovation — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.
39
 
Tolerance for Ambiguity — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
33
 
Self-Confidence — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.
31
 
Stress Tolerance — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
27
 
Self-Control — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.
25
 
Sincerity — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.
13
 
Humility — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
8
 
Empathy — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.
8
 
Social Orientation — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
7
 
Optimism — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.
5
 
Leadership Orientation — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2024)
$28.16 hourly, $58,570 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2024)
3,100 employees
Projected growth (2024-2034)
Decline (-1% or lower)
Projected job openings (2024-2034)
400
State trends
Top industries (2024)
Government (69% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 wage data and 2024-2034 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2024-2034). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

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