Summary Report for:
19-4044.00 - 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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Easy ReadTasks | Detailed Work Activities | Job Zone | Credentials | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks
- 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.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
- Write reports or evaluations.
- Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
- Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
- Analyze environmental data.
- Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
- Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
- Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
- Collect environmental data or samples.
- Communicate with the public on environmental issues.
- Compile environmental or climatological data.
- Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
- Evaluate data quality.
- Install gauges or controls.
- Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
- Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
- Research hydrologic features or processes.
- Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Job Zone
| Title | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Education | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| 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. |
| Job Zone Examples | These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants. |
| SVP Range | (6.0 to < 7.0) |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wage data for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians.
Employment data for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians.
Industry data for Geological and Hydrologic Technicians.
| Median wages (2020) | $24.34 hourly, $50,630 annual |
| State wages | |
| Local wages | |
| Employment (2020) | 16,800 employees |
| Projected growth (2020-2030) | 
Average (5% to 10%)
|
| Projected job openings (2020-2030) | 2,300 |
| State trends | |
| Top industries (2020) | |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data
and 2020-2030 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
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